The Tony Gollan-trained Antino trounced his rivals to win the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) under a masterful ride by Blake Shinn at Caulfield on Saturday.
The striking son of Redwood had six and a half lengths to spare over runner-up Craig with Perth raider Alsephina finishing third.
Antino had been around the mark in elite company with placings behind Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside at his previous two outings.
After a slow beginning Antino came from last, looping the field prior to the home bend and skipping clear, with winning jockey Blake Shinn deriving the best out of the ultra-talented six-year-old.
It was a case of redemption for Antino who had been beaten a lip when second in last year’s Toorak Handicap by Attrition.
“He was brilliant, he was awesome, he' s a really good horse,” a delighted Tony Gollan said.
“He's been destined to win a Group One and it's just been a matter of when and to win it like that. It was so close last year, I thought he was just a run short.
“This year I knew I had him, as good as we've ever had him and it was just a matter of luck on the day and he took that into his own hands and got the job done.”
Gollan admitted he was concerned when Antino was back last after stepping slowly which he has done frequently.
“We were back last early and I thought we were in a lot of trouble but what a masterful ride by Blake,” he said.
“The first thing we said after Moonee Valley the other night when we were racing against Pride of Jenni was he can sustain pressure in a race. No matter where we landed today, we just wanted to travel and then be able to use that long sustained run and that's what he did. He took off a bit early on him but he can sustain a good gallop for a good while, what a dominant display.”
Antino is owned in Hong Kong by Jeetu Ramchandani and the smart New Zealand bred is likely to be on the international stage when competing in the Hong Kong International Mile (1600m) in December.
“I was going to go to the Rupert Clarke (Gr.1, 1400m), and then to Hong Kong, but I’ll just play it by ear,” Gollan said.
“We'll get home and let the dust settle next week, and you know the horse is at the peak of his powers now. It's just a matter of holding him in that condition.”
Bred by George Kit Ma’s Blossom Trading & Breeding Company Ltd, Antino is by Westbury Stud stallion Redwood.
Out of a full-sister to Group One gallopers Hurrah and Best Gift, Antino’s dam Mahamaya was purchased for just $3,000 in foal to Redwood at the 2018 Karaka May Sale by Logan Salvador on behalf of Ma.
Antino was purchased for $27,000 by Ramchandani under his New Balance Racing banner at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale from the draft of Cheltenham Stables.
The six-year-old gelding advanced his record to 11 wins from 21 starts with a further five placings and prizemoney of A$1,668,865. – NZ Racing Desk
