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Champion Tolga trainer Roy Chillemi is hopeful Palencia - one of North Queensland’s star three-year-old's last season - is ready to strike his best form at Townsville on Thursday.
Palencia has started twice this campaign but is seeking to avenge the defeats in the Open Handicap over 1400 metres.
The son of Palentino resumed in a 1000 metre Open event at Cluden Park in the middle of February but drifted in betting from $4.40 to $7.50 before finishing fourth in a field of five behind Rockhampton flyer Aspen Lad.
Palencia was then a $9 chance when he finished an unlucky seventh, beaten less than two lengths, by the Georgie Holt-trained Bold Kingston, who is one of his opponents again on Thursday.
Palencia has done all his racing in the state's north, starting 18 times for seven wins and six placings, and races in the "Yellow H" silks of owner, Tom Hedley.
The famous Hedley colours gained notoriety in the south when former star sprinter Tyzone won the 2020 Stradbroke Handicap for the Gold Coast training partnership of Toby and Trent Edmonds who also prepared former star, The Harrovian.
Tyzone was originally trained on the Atherton Tablelands by Roy Chillemi while The Harrovian hailed from the Cairns stable of Stephen Massingham.
Chillemi, who will also saddle last start Class 6 winner Mystery 'N' Magic in the Open Handicap over 1400 metres, has warned his supporters not to overlook Palencia at his third start this time in.
The veteran trainer was far from disappointed with Palencia's last start performance.
"He's going okay and I don't over tax my horses early and let them get fit with racing," Chillemi said.
"In his first run back he got blocked for a run and second-up you've just got to look at the replay to see what happened."
Chillemi was a referring to Palencia having no luck in the straight when trapped on the fence and was disappointed for runs on two occasions behind Bold Kingston.
"I hope he will run very well again but I'm not overly confident," Chillemi said.
"This is just a stepping stone to better races ahead."
Chillemi plans to target the North Queensland winter features including the Cairns Newmarket and Amateurs Sprint and possibly the Cleveland Bay Handicap in Townsville.
Chillemi also is hopeful of a competitive performance from Mystery 'N' Magic following his last start win.
"He's not in Palencia's class but he's been racing well," he said.
"He's a box walker who doesn't like being trained so I've got to hobble him otherwise he'll walk all day.
"It's a tough little race and I think Zouvilla might be the one to beat."
