Previously a multiple Guineas winner in New Zealand as a three-year-old, Palmetto broke through for a first Australian victory in Saturday’s A$150,000 Clarendon Tavern Benchmark 88 Handicap (1500m) at Hawkesbury.

The Ghibellines gelding had gone winless in his first six appearances across the Tasman but brought an improving form line into Saturday’s race with a last-start third placing over 1600m at Warwick Farm on April 10.

He went to a new level at Hawkesbury, where he was ridden by Kerrin McEvoy for expat Kiwi trainer John Sargent. He pounced at the top of the straight and soon put the field away, kicking away to win by just over two lengths.

“He travelled really nicely,” McEvoy said. “This is the first time I’ve ridden him. He’s not all that much to look at, but he’s a real athlete.

“Sarge gave me a push, and young Tom Sherry did too during the week – he’s in Brisbane to ride a couple of horses up there. He rode this horse last time and told me he’d run well. He’s duly delivered.

“At the top of the lane, I just pressed the button and he quickened up really nicely He’s open to further improvement, and Sarge has done a good job.”

Palmetto was offered by Three Valleys at the 2020 South Island Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, where he was passed in with a $10,000 reserve.

He began his racing career in the Ascot Park stable of Sally McKay, for whom he had nine starts for three wins. He collected a black-type double in the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) and Southland Guineas (1600m) in February of 2022.

Now racing in the colours of prominent Australian owner Carl Holt, but with some of his original New Zealand ownership still involved, Palmetto has had a total of 16 starts for four wins, two placings and A$198,079 in stakes.