Palentino's affinity for Flemington continued when he upset his stablemate Black Heart Bart in the $500,000 group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, 1600m, on Saturday.
Giving Ballarat trainer Darren Weir the first one-two group 1 finish of his career, Palentino ($9) unleashed a devastating turn of foot to chase down $2.05 favourite Black Heart Bart.
Palentino is yet to be beaten across the line at Flemington from four starts, but did lose the CS Hayes Stakes earlier this year on protest.
The Australian Guineas winner will now be put on a path to the WS Cox Plate, 2040m, at Moonee Valley in October
"He's a genuine superstar," winning jockey Mark Zahra said.
"Today his turn of foot was electric."
This gives Weir the first two group 1 races of the new season, with Black Heart Bart having won the Memsie Stakes.
