Star Queensland performer Antino produced another blockbuster home-state performance to double his elite level tally with a hollow victory in the G1 Doomben Cup.
The son of Westbury Stud resident Redwood proved in a league of his own when stepped up to 2000 metres to leave his weight-for-age rivals struggling in his wake.
Successful in the G1 Toorak Handicap last spring, Antino had won the G2 Hollindale Cup in cavalier fashion in his previous appearance at the Gold Coast and made it two on the bounce with a minimum of effort.
Antino settled third last before he was on a three-wide move 800 metres from home to strike the front at the top of the straight.
Regular rider Blake Shinn was in the fun zone from that point, and they surged clear to have nearly four lengths on their closest challenger at the post.
“That’s as good a win as I’ve ever been involved in and means a lot to everybody,” Gollan said.
“It’s heart in the mouth stuff, he doesn’t break well and then Blake just lets him get into his stride and then it’s time to go.
“He’s the best horse I’ve trained and since he won the Toorak last year, we’ve all got better as a team.
“He’s gone to another level, this was a pretty good Doomben Cup field and he’s won impressively.”
All roads will now lead to Australasia’s weight-for-age championship in the spring.
“We can set our sights now on Melbourne. He’s a very good horse, I’ve got a world class jockey and world class team to help me get him ready,” Gollan said.
“We’ll put him away now and come back for the Cox Plate, his style of racing will suit the race. He’s stamped himself as one of Australia’s best weight-for-age horse, particularly at a middle distance and I can’t wait to get there in the spring.”
Shinn said Antino was travelling comfortably all the way and said they had the Cup won a long way out.
“He’s some horse, he told me when he wanted to get rolling about the half mile and it was a great feeling.
“He went from about seven lengths off them to have the race at his mercy about 400 metres from home.
“I knew he would hold that gallop, and it was great for Queensland racing to witness Antino at his best, it’s great for Tony Gollan and great to showcase a horse of his ilk. It was special to be on board him.”
Shinn is confident that the Cox Plate is the right target for Antino.
“I think he’s ready for that, obviously he’ll tackle Via Sistina and the like but he’s at the right age and had some hardened racing against the likes of Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni,” he said.
“Tony has nurtured the horse along and he’s now at the peak of his powers. It’s just great to be associated with them, I feel very honoured.”
Bred by the Blossom Trading & Breeding Company, Antino was bought 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.