Whether it’s seen as a bold play or a well-calculated move, Tony Gollan has lofty targets for Antino beyond Saturday’s run in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes as the Queensland star returns to the track.
After trialling at Eagle Farm last week behind Rothfire—while carrying a heavier rider—Gollan was satisfied enough to confirm Antino’s spot in the 1400-metre Randwick feature before his longer-distance campaign in Brisbane begins.
“He was getting a bit of kickback in that trial and the data from it is really good,” Gollan told RadioTab.
“He’s not a horse that likes to get back on that Eagle Farm track when it is kicking back a lot of sand but he closed off well and his recovery was good.”
With regular rider Blake Shinn serving a 10-meeting suspension for careless riding on Nostringsattached last Saturday at Randwick, Group 1 hoop Mark Zahra has picked up the ride on Antino.
“Mark rode him in the Champions Mile and we are fortunate to be able to get a hold of him,” Gollan said, referring to Antino’s runner-up finish in the Group 1 1600-metre feature at Flemington last November.
Things didn’t go to plan in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin in December, where Antino struck trouble and finished near the tail, a performance Gollan described as “a disaster.”
It was a stark contrast to the gelding’s stellar run in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) two starts earlier at Caulfield, where he earned a Racing and Sports peak rating of 124.
Looking ahead to the winter, Gollan is ready to test Antino over longer trips, with his fresh All Aged Stakes run expected to launch his campaign toward the Brisbane features.
“He’s the fresh legs in the All Aged and building towards the winter carnival,” Gollan added.
“Where his rating is, there aren’t a lot of options and I was keen to give him a good break after what was a really busy winter and spring. He needed to get over such a process.”
After Saturday’s Randwick run, Antino is expected to contest the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on May 10, then the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m), with a potential tilt at the Group 2 The Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm in June.
“He is such a relaxed horse and if you look at him in the run, he goes to sleep so he gives himself every chance to get a trip,” Gollan said.
“I’d be disappointed if I never gave him the opportunity to get out to those distances.”
Antino heads to Sydney boasting a strong first-up record, winning four of six fresh runs.
He’s currently listed at $11 in all-in betting markets, with Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) winner Briasa heading the betting as the $3.50 favourite.
