Palencia Finds Form with Women’s Day Win

Former star juvenile Palencia turned around his luck and added to his impressive Townsville record with a strong victory at Cluden Park yesterday.

Palencia, considered unlucky at his most recent run, was ridden confidently by jockey Rachel Shred to land the Women In Racing Open Hcp (1400m).

Premier trainer Roy Chillemi afterwards gave Shred kudos for a well-judged ride to have the seven times Cluden winner always in a challenging role.

“That’s what we spoke about. Rachel came down in the truck with me and I said ‘don’t worry about the other horses, just worry about him and ride him how he should be ridden and she did just that,” Chillemi said.

“Keep him happy and out of trouble.

“If he jumped well and nothing wanted to lead I said go to the front but Hit Snooze jumped and led and that probably suited her better.

“He probably should have won last start but that’s racing. ”

With stable jockey Stephen Wilson sidelined with injury since last year, Chillemi has had to change around his work arrangements for his team at his Tolga base.

“Rachel rides 10 a morning and is the only work rider I have at the moment with Steve (Wilson) out.

“I’ve had to made some changes with how I work them. They’re not missing out on exercise but they’re just not getting as much work at the track.

“Steve gets scans tomorrow morning and if it’s good he could be back in a fortnight but we’ll just see how it goes.”

Chillemi was happy with a win by Palencia in the Hedley ownership group even though he had to settle for second in the race with his own horse Mystery ‘N’ Magic who he bred.

Off only a steady pace, Palencia launched early in the straight from third to have the race won a furlong out but Mystery ‘N’ Magic charged late from last to run the winner to a half-length at his first start in open class.

Earlier, trainer Joanna Hassett made a welcome and emotional return to the winner’s stall when Vaporizing, thanks to a patient Pietro Romeo ride, upset the sentimental favourite Proximate Cause in the Vale Terry Butts Cl6 Plate.

The Garry “Muttaburra” Dickson-trained Proximate Cause, raced by Butts, and his daughters Anne-Marie and Melinda, and Bob Pack and Mac Griffith had looked set for a thrilling win but was nabbed on the line.

For Hassett it was an emotion-charged win in a race named in honour of her close friend who passed away last weekend. She invited the Butts family to be part of the post-race photo of the winner.

“Terry and I were pretty close so it was definitely emotional. I would have loved to have seen Mutta win it with all the family there,” Hassett said.

“It was still great to share the moment with them. Terry would have loved the upset as much as anyone.

“Terry and I go way back to my father Gordon and the grass-fed days. I’ve worked at the Townsville Yacht Club for 15 years in the office there and Terry used to come in every Friday and I’d shout him a drink.

“I hadn’t had a win for a while so it was good to win a race named after him. Vaporizing has been unlucky in his runs here. He really needs things to go his way and finally he got a small field and was able to sit back and let it all play out.

“Pietro rode him really well.”

Pictured: Jockey Rachel Shred brings Palencia home to a strong win at Cluden yesterday.

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