Rising Queensland star Antino produced another quality display to overwhelm his rivals at Eagle Farm and remain on target for one of the state’s premier prizes.
The handsome son of Redwood has now won six of his seven starts and black type company awaits the four-year-old.
“The Group 3 BRC Sprint in three weeks’ time looks the right race for him and if it’s a win you’re in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap scenario, so if he can win that then we can dare to dream,” trainer Tony Gollan said.
Antino was caught wide early before settling midfield and one off the fence, he produced a relentless finish in the straight to reel in his opposition for rider James Orman.
“He had a lot of work to do, but he was able to slot in and he’s a really good chaser and was dominant late,” Gollan said.
Antino had won when resuming from a break on the course over 1200 metres a fortnight ago and stripped fitter for that outing.
“He’s a good-looking horse and the improvement from his first-up run was noticeable at home and there’s more to come,” Gollan said.
Bred by the Blossom Trading & Breeding Company, Antino was 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 is a sister to the G1 Captain Cook Stakes winner Hurrah and the Hong Kong Stakes winner and Group 1 performer Best Gift.