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By Ray Hickson

Trainer John Sargent can see plenty of positives for Palmetto with the switch of the Listed $200,000 The Agency Civic Stakes (1400m) to Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

The certainty of a heavy track plays in his favour, though interestingly his three heavy track wins have come in New Zealand while his three NSW wins have been on good ground.

And given the difference of the 1400m course at the Farm, compared to Randwick, with a straight run to the only bend he says it negates the wide barrier and probably makes it a plus.

“It should be an ideal track and maybe even better from the draw at Warwick Farm because you’ve only got the one turn,’’ Sargent said.

“He just needs to find a back, doesn’t matter if he’s three or four wide, so he can challenge.

“They’ll be getting out to the middle of the track anyway I’d say so it could be a good omen.”

Sargent was able to give Palmetto, $16 with TAB on Tuesday, a gallop on Sunday on the all weather track at Randwick to keep him ticking over.

The gelding has been around the placings in three runs since contesting the Group 1 Doncaster Mile with a third behind Ruby Flyer over a mile on a heavy track at Randwick on June 8 his best result.

“Dropping 2kg is a big help, I think the weight just got to him last start,’’ he said.

Palmetto runs third at Randwick on June 8

“He’s rock hard fit, and coming back in distance it’s probably good to keep him a bit fresher for the 1400m.”

It’s not likely that Palmetto will continue through the winter series beyond the Civic Stakes as Sargent plans to give him a month off before rebooting for the spring.

Meanwhile, Sargent will debut the first foal of his former topline mare Luvaluva when Luvalegend steps out for the first time at Wyong on Thursday.

The two-year-old by Lonhro will contest a 1350m maiden and Sargent would just like to see him hitting the line like his mother did for his first outing.

Luvalegend is a gelding and has trialled five times since last November with two in his current preparation.

“It looks to me he’s going to be a stayer,’’ he said.

“We probably won’t see the best until he gets to a mile plus. At this stage he’s still got to grow up a bit, he’s a bit lost, and whatever he does he’ll improve.

“As long as he’s running on I’d be happy then we’ll progress over more ground.”

Luvaluva’s second foal is a colt by Fierce Impact while she produced another colt by Xtravagant last spring.

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Warwick Farm meeting