Three-year-old Teofilo colt Palentino became his sire’s ninth G1 winner with a hard-fought victory in the G1 Australian Guineas over a mile at Flemington, on 5 March.
Restrained in the early stages from his outside barrier, Palentino began to steadily make ground coming to the final bend. On straightening, jockey Mark Zahra forced his way into the clear and in a thrilling battle over the final furlong Palentino claimed victory by a short-head over last year's G1 VRC Derby winner Tarzino.
After controversially losing the G3 CS Hayes Stakes on protest a fortnight ago, Palentino’s connections again found themselves in the steward’s room. This time the result went Palentino’s way with stewards dismissing the objection of Tarzino’s connections.
Bred by Jenny Watson, Palentino is one of five winners but the only Stakes winner out of the winning Palace Music mare Palatine Hill, a half-sister to Stakes winners Sublimity and Rather Grand.
Teofilo enjoyed a superb year in 2015, siring no fewer than nine G1 performers and 41 Group or Stakes horses, headed by Irish 1,000 Guineas and Yorkshire Oaks heroine Pleascach.
Teofilo stands at Kildangan Stud at a fee of €50,000 October 1st SLF.
