Champion jumps jockey Steven Pateman will be after a hat-trick of Australian Hurdle victories when he rides the impressive Palmero in the $100,000 race at Sandown on Saturday.
Palmero is unbeaten in three jumps starts, including two for trainer Ciaron Maher who spotted the gelding in New Zealand.
The Hawk Wing six-year-old was purchased out of New Zealand after he won his jumping debut, a Rotorua Maiden Hurdle (2800m) by 14 lengths in September.
He was placed in three flat runs for Maher last spring before a let-up and was placed over 2400m at Sandown at his fourth run in this preparation before going back over the jumps and winning a 3200m hurdle by eight lengths from Berlioz at Warrnambool on May 3.
Palmero then won the $100,000 Jack Dow Memorial Hurdle (3320m) at Mornington on May 20, defeating Australian Hurdle rival Gotta Take Care by a length.
Pateman has won the Australian Hurdle (3400m) the past two years aboard Black And Bent (2010) and Our Aristocrat (2011).
“I’m looking forward to the Australian Hurdle. It looks a competitive race,” Pateman said.
“Palmero is a good horse in the making.
“Ciaron said he had him a bit too fresh going into Mornington but this time you’d think he’d settle in behind Kirribilli Gold and we’ll see who is the best one jumping the last I suppose.
“It was a tough decision choosing between the two as Kirribilli Gold has done really well at home but you can’t fault Palmero.
“He (Palmero) goes up a little bit in the weights (64.5kg to 67.5kg).
“Gotta Take Care will be very competitive too. He keeps knocking on the door and I wouldn’t be surprised if any of those three won.”
Pateman will be after his first Australian Steeplechase (3900m) success when he rides the Robert Smerdon-trained Fareer.
“It wouldn’t be the strongest Australian `chase but it will be competitive enough I would have thought,” he said.
Fareer was ridden by Irishman Tom Ryan when he won the Brierly Steeple (3450m) at Warrnambool from Pateman’s mount Megapixel.
But Pateman was back aboard Fareer when he was runner-up to Al Karam in the Great Southern Steeple (3320m) at Mornington on May 20.
“He’s a great jumper but I didn’t ride him any good last time,” he said.
“I’ve got to ride him more conservatively on Saturday.”
Megapixel and Al Karam are also entered for a return clashes with Fareer.
