Antino set for Toorak Handicap

After winning eight of his first nine starts in Queensland, Antino made his Melbourne debut at Flemington on September 16 which resulted in regular rider James Orman being replaced.

Blake Shinn took over in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) on Sunday and the gelding with to gelding needing to pull out all stops to score a narrow, but solid win.

Sent out the $1.35 Ladbrokes favourite, Antino scored by a long-neck from Here To Shock ($3.90) with Superium ($61) a further 2-¼ lengths away third.

“Blake had him in a good position, but you could see those leaders were getting away a little coming into the straight,” trainer Tony Gollan said.

“But he rounded them up. He was tradesman like today, rather than being brilliant.

“That’s how he’s been in Brisbane, doing the same sort of stuff, but as he progresses into his preparation he gets better, and he’ll continue to get better.”

Gollan said plans for Antino are the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 14 while The Five Diamonds at Rosehill on November 11 will be given consideration on his way back to Queensland.

As Sunday’s success was Antino’s second run for the preparation, Gollan said there was further improvement to come from the gelding.

“If you watched him during the winter, his best win was in the Wayne Wilson over the mile when he got right into his preparation,” Gollan said.

“That is what you’ll see in the Toorak in a couple of weeks and into the future from there.”

Shinn, having his first ride on the gelding, said Antino did a few things wrong early in the race, but at the same time the gelding wanted to relax.

He said the major factor was giving the gelding clear galloping room.

“He was going to win comfortably at the 300 (metres) but whether he got lost in the big, open air, or was holding back a touch, I don’t know,” Shinn said.

“But he is an exciting horse and it’s great to get a win on him.

“The more he’s under pressure, the more he keeps giving and a high pressure, potentially the Toorak, I think he will be competitive in.”