Chillemi gives Higher Realm the nod over Palencia

By Glenn Davis

Exciting North Queensland sprinter Palencia will face stiff opposition against a slick field when the gelding makes his return to racing in the Open Handicap at Townsville on Saturday.

Palencia hasn’t raced since finishing among the tail enders in the Cleveland Bay Handicap at Townsville’s Cluden Park in August.

It was the four-year-old's worst performance of his 16-start career when he finished in front of just three rivals in the 1300 metre feature.

The son of Palentino has won seven times and placed on another six occasions earning more than $222,000 in prize money.

Trainer of Palencia - Roy Chillemi - blamed a wide run for the defeat in the Cleveland Bay.

“He didn’t have much luck from his wide gate in the Cleveland Bay and was wide most of the way,” he said.

“He always puts in but he’s never won over 1000 metres.”

Chillemi will be double handed in the Open Handicap over the 1000 metre dash and gives stable mate Higher Realm a slight edge over Palencia.

Higher Realm – a Krysten Swaffer mount - has been in a purple patch of form and is aiming to maintain an unblemished record this campaign by stretching his winning sequence to four.

The five-year-old received 59kgs - half a kilogram more than what he carried in his dominant last start win - which was his ninth in 27 starts.

However, Higher Realm comes in well at the weights with a two-kilogram claim for apprentice Swaffer.

Palencia and Higher Realm have met only once with High Realm winning a Class 6 event over 950 metres at Cairns in June last year, in which Palencia finished fourth, just over a half-length away.

“Higher Realm won well last start but he hasn’t been winning by big margins,” Chillemi said.

“Of my two, I’d have to favour Higher Realm but I would have preferred to spell him.

“Unfortunately, there’s been so much rain up here his spelling paddock is very wet and a few horses are getting abscesses so I’m keeping him in work for the time being.”

As well as High Realm and Palencia, the field has attracted noted speedster Aspen Lad and talented six-year-old Family Star.

Chillemi intends to aim both his sprinters for the North Queensland winter carnival later in the year.