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Champion jumps jockey Steve Pateman will get another crack at a feature double on Palmero and Fareer when he rides the two promising jumpers this Saturday at Sandown.
Australia's undisputed champion jumps rider will partner the Ciaron Maher-trained Palmero in the Australian Hurdle (3400m) and Fareer, who is from the Robert Smerdon yard, in the Australian Steeplechase (3900m).
Both races carry $100,000 in prizemoney and are legs of the prestigious J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship.
Pateman partnered both Palmero and Fareer at Mornington on May 20.
Palmero broke through for his maiden feature success in the Jack Dow Memorial Hurdle while Fareer was second behind Al Karam in the Great Southern Steeplechase.
Fareer endured a wide run in his first start since an impressive Brierly Steeplechase success at Warrnambool. but Pateman remains confident he can turn the tables on Al Karam with a better run.
“But it turns out he's the sort of horse that needs to travel to finish off. So I'll ride him a bit more conservatively on Saturday," he told RV.
Fareer and Al Karam will both carry 66kg in an Australian Steeplechase that also features Great Southern third and fourth placegetters Via Savoia and Gravitas (both 64.5kg).
Tobouggie Nights, who completed the Von Doussa-Great Eastern Steeplechase double at Oakbank over Easter, heads the field at 68kg, while fellow Kiwi Roodyvoo, Brierly runner-up Megapixel and Cats Fun (all 64,5kg) are also engaged.
Palmero, a six-year-old son of Hawk Wing who will carry 67.5kg, is part of a cracking assembly of emerging stars in that event.
The Darren Weir-trained Gotta Take Care (66kg), last-start Sandown flat winner Tuscan Fire, import Above Average and dashing mare Kirribilli Gold (all 64.5kg) are the other exciting prospects engaged.
Joining them are 2010 Grand National Hurdle winner The Pentagon (69kg), talented South Australian Half
Moon Rising (67kf) and consistent former Kiwi gelding Seeking The Silver (65kg).Palmero defeated Gotta Take Care, Seeking The Silver and Above Average in the Jack Dow Memorial when he raced keenly, but Pateman said only 13 days between runs would aid his cause predicted the gelding might even race off the speed.
“He did a little bit wrong (at Mornington), he was a bit keen in front and a bit fresh so I think it will actually suit him,” Pateman said.
“With no speed in the last couple of races he's been naturally bowling to the front but I actually think it will suit him to have a bit more speed in the race. I think it will suit to take a sit and relax a bit more, for the first half anyway.”