Antino had unfinished business at Caulfield and a daring ride from Blake Shinn ensured the son of Westbury Stud’s Redwood took care of matters in stunning fashion.
The Tony Gollan-trained representative had run second in last season’s G1 Toorak Handicap and he went one better in the feature mile on Saturday with a towering performance.
The gelding was tardily out of the gates and settled last before Shinn cut loose on the six-year-old 700 metres from home.
He quickly circled the field to be in front before the turn and left their hapless rivals flailing in their wake, strolling home by six and a-half lengths.
“I’m just really delighted to get this win with Antino, he’s been knocking on the door in Group 1s,” Shinn said.
“I just trusted my horse and brought him into the race when the pace slackened and gee, he was strong to the line.
“I’ve got a lot of people to thank for this result, but full credit goes to the horse. He’s been running very well against the top weight-for-age horses and there’s none more deserving.”
Antino’s lead-up form had included third placings behind Mr Brightside in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes and to Pride Of Jenni in the G2 Feehan Stakes.
Gollan has always had the utmost faith in Antino’s ability to shine through at Group 1 level, but he did admit to early worries at Caulfield.
“When he was back last early, I thought we were in a lot of trouble but what a masterful ride by Blake,” he said.
“What a dominant display and we knew the horse could sustain such a long gallop.”
Antino’s performance will now force a rethink of plans by Gollan.
“We were going to the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke and then maybe Hong Kong, but we’ll let the dust settle a bit and then think about it,” he said.
Antino was bred by the Blossom Trading & Breeding Company and purchased out of Cheltenham Stables’ New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft by New Balance Racing, of Hong Kong, for $27,000.
He is a son of the unraced Bahhare mare Mahamaya, who produced a filly by Tarzino last season, and she is a sister to the G1 Captain Cook Stakes winner Hurrah and the Hong Kong Stakes winner and Group 1 performer Best Gift.