Palentino doesn’t shirk an issue, he has had two fights in as many weeks, the score won one, lost one, and could back up again next week.

He is a remarkable colt, as tough as flint, yet not over raced, that was just his sixth start, Darren Weir will make a decision, if Palentino shapes up, for a start in the Australian Cup over 2000 metres, at one stage it was decided over 3600 metres, the longest flat race in Australia.

As usual Palentino settled well back in the field, at the 800 metres there was more horses in front of him than behind him.

Once Mark Zahra got him out into the open, at the top of the straight, he worked himself into the race very quickly, at that stage he actually had the Derby winner, Tarzino, in front of him.

Both Palentino and Tarzino are excellent colts and likely to be the stars of the spring, graduating to weight for age.

However, the same is not likely to be said of the New Zealand colt, Xtravagant, grossly over rated at this stage, a lot was promised but little received.

He is a lovely individual, but looks don’t win races, he was quite unsettled in the paddock, a stallion chain was added to the gear, even that didn’t have the desired effect.

The anticipation pre post was electric, it didn’t take long to fizzle out, as for connections of the colt it was a non event, very disappointing.

Palentino was bred in Tasmania and offered at the 2014 Magic Millions Tasmania Yearling Sales, he sold for $85,000 and has returned $606,710 in stake earnings.

Palentino wins the Guineas

Malaguerra Retains Form

Malaguerra has earned a trip to Sydney after his brilliant win in the Bob Hoysted Handicap at Flemington.

The gelding, trained by Lee and Anthony Freedman, provided the stable with the first leg of a winning double, the gelding will go to Sydney now for the Sebring Stakes, followed by the Stradbroke Handicap in Brisbane, at Eagle Farm over 1400 metres, if renovations there are not completed in time Doomben will be the alternative venue.

He has now put together three wins on the trot, all at Flemington, and he is now on the trail for more lucrative prizes.

There was a lot of authority about the 1000 metres win; he was sitting back on the fence with Ben Melham having a lot horse underneath him.

The son of Magnus has now put together five wins from his last six starts since being gelded.

He has quite an interesting pedigree, his dam, Tennessee Morn, is by Bletchingly, from Tennessee Vain, by the incomparable Vain.

Malaguerra winning the Bob Hoysted