Antino (NZ) Dazzles in Doomben Cup

The step up to 2000 metres held no fears on Saturday for Queensland’s Karaka-sourced superstar Antino (NZ) (Redwood), who added a second Group One to his collection with a stunning four-length blitz in the A$1m XXXX Doomben Cup.

Antino was offered in the 2020 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, where New Balance Racing bought him for $27,000. The exceptional gelding has now had 26 starts for 13 wins, six placings and A$3.1m in prize-money – more than 124 times his purchase price.

Most of Antino’s heroics have come over shorter distances, headed by a six-length tour de force in the Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield in October. But trainer Tony Gollan raised the bar this autumn, starting with a runaway win by three and a half lengths in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on the Gold Coast on May 10.

Saturday’s Doomben Cup marked another step up in distance and an even more breathtaking performance.

Antino and jockey Blake Shinn settled near the back of the field as the A$10m earner Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) adopted her customary front-running tactics and showed the way.

Shinn allowed Antino to warm into his work coming down the side of the track, and the reigning Queensland Horse of the Year surged forward purposefully around the outside of the field.

Antino was cruising and under a tight hold from Shinn as he loomed up alongside Pride Of Jenni at the home turn, and the Redwood gelding had the race at his mercy.

Shinn let Antino rip in the straight and he powered clear for a super-impressive victory over Fawkner Park (Zoffany) and Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park).

“He’s some horse,” Shinn said. “He told me when he wanted to get rolling about the half-mile when I pulled him out and it was time to go, and, yeah, it was a great feeling. He went from about seven lengths off them to have the race at his mercy about the 400 metres, and I knew he’d keep that gallop up.

“It’s great for Queensland racing to witness Antino at his best here today. It’s great for Tony Gollan, and it’s great to showcase a horse of his ilk. It’s special to be on him.

“Tony’s just nurtured this horse. He’s at the peak of his powers. It’s just great to be associated with him, and I feel very honoured.”

Antino’s career-best season has vindicated Gollan’s long-held belief in the horse.

“He’s been the best horse I’ve trained for some time,” he said. “He took until last year to win the Toorak, win the Group One, and from then, I think we’ve all just got better as a team, haven’t we?

“We’ve done things better and he’s gone to another level. What we’ve seen today is pretty special. It’s a pretty good Doomben Cup field. He’s won impressively and we can set our sights now on Melbourne in the spring. He’s a very good horse, with a world-class jockey, and I’ve got a world-class team that helps me get him ready.

“He was rock-hard fit today and that was pretty impressive. That’s as good a win as I’ve been involved in, and it means a lot to the whole team.

“We’ll put him away now for the Cox Plate (Group One, 2040m). I think his style of racing suits a race like that – that amphitheatre there, where they can build and build and build. You know, why not?

“I mean, he’s stamped himself as one of Australia’s best weight-for-age horses, particularly at the middle-distance. I’m just awfully grateful to the ownership group for giving him to me to train. He’s a privilege to train and I can’t wait to get him to Melbourne in the spring.”

Vendor	Cheltenham Stables
Purchaser	New Balance Racing (Hong Kong)
Breeding	Redwood – Mahamaya
Sale	Lot 285, 2020 Ready to Run Sale, $27,000
Breeder	Blossom Trading & Breeding Company Ltd
Owner	Mr J Ramchandani