Antino (NZ) Wows in Wayne Wilson

The step up to stakes level in Saturday’s A$160,000 Listed Channel 7 Wayne Wilson (1600m) at Eagle Farm did nothing to slow the rapid rise of Antino (NZ) (Redwood), who has gone from the Karaka sale ring to potential Queensland superstardom.

Antino was offered by Cheltenham Stables at the 2020 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, where he was bought by New Balance Racing for only $27,000. From nine starts, Antino has now recorded eight wins and a third placing. He has earned A$352,550 in prize-money.

Saturday’s Wayne Wilson was Antino’s first appearance in a black-type race, and it turned out to be one of his most impressive performances yet.

Unlike his last-start win at Eagle Farm on May 27, where he led all the way and never gave his 13 rivals any hope of catching him, this time Antino roared home from well off the pace.

Ridden by his regular jockey James Orman, the four-year-old settled in sixth spot before looming ominously on the outside as the field rounded the home turn.

Orman released the brakes and Antino charged to the lead, taking a commanding lead through the final 200 metres. He crossed the finish line three lengths in front of the runner-up Munhamek (Dark Angel).

“It’s good to be a part of it, he’s a good horse and that was his best win,” Orman said. “He’s a horse that wants to settle, so I let him do what he wants. We didn’t have to make up too much ground, because we got a nice tow into the race. He put them away very quickly.”

Antino is trained by Tony Gollan, who had been considering a shot at Saturday’s Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), but the gelding’s inexperience proved costly and he was unable to make the field.

“I don’t know where he ends up, this horse,” Gollan said. “I think the sky is the limit for him.

“He’s versatile. You saw him sustain a long run from the front the other day with 61.5 kilograms, and you saw him sit three pairs back today and sprint like he was in a 1200-metre race.

“So he’s got a massive future. He’s a beautiful-looking animal and he’s a pleasure to train. I certainly appreciate having a horse like this in my yard.

“Once we knew that the Stradbroke wasn’t going to be part of the plan, I said to his connections that this race would be a good option for us to get an idea of where we head in the spring. It probably answered a few questions today. We can sit at home now and map out a bit of a path for him in Melbourne or Sydney.

“We won’t get too far ahead of ourselves today, and we’ll enjoy this win. He’s a real winner. He’s eight from nine now – I don’t train too many that have a record like that, and doing it in town as well. So he’s a very exciting horse, and I can’t wait to take him down south and show him off down there.”

Antino is by in-form Westbury Stud sire Redwood, while his unraced dam Mahamaya (NZ) (Bahhare) is a sister to Group One winner Hurrah (NZ) (Bahhare) and multiple Hong Kong Group One placegetter Best Gift (NZ) (Bahhare).

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