Antino races into G1 Stradbroke Handicap favouritism
Vlad Duric made the most of a call-up ride to record his biggest win since making Queensland home, teaming with Antino to score a stunning win in Saturday’s $300,000 Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm.
The Victorian native only took up residence in the Sunshine State after returning from Singapore at the end of March and was called on to replace Mark Zahra, who had to forgo the ride on the Tony Gollan-trained gelding in the 1200-metre event due to suspension.
Duric was made to earn his pay after Antonio was clearly last away and under hard riding before straightening, but the Caulfield Cup-winning jockey’s encouragement helped him explode in the straight and race to Stradbroke Handicap favouritism with betting apps.
“It was a massive win,” Duric said.
“All the plans that I thought I had in my head were out the gate; he was off the bridle the whole race and just couldn’t keep up.
“When I switched him to the inside he wasn’t brave, so I had to really give him a smack around the tail and from there I was pretty confident.
“There was a long way up the straight for him to build up and he was beautiful through the winning post.
“He’s in for a great prep.”
At his first start since finishing down the track in the Five Diamonds at Rosehill on November 11, Antino ($4.40) scored by a length from Wee Nessy ($8), who finished 1-3/4 lengths clear of third placegetter Golden Mile ($10).
Uncommon James, the easy $3.80 favourite, was part of an early speed battle, settled in prominent position and offered a short-lived challenge early in the straight before weakening over the final furlong to finish second-last, beaten more than 14 lengths.
“He makes really, really hard work of it, but I knew once they got inside the furlong they were never going to beat him,” Gollan said of Antino.
“He puts those ears back and he has a go. He’s a different beast. He’s not like any horse I’ve ever trained.”
Antino is likely go four weeks between runs into the $1 million Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) on June 1 before tackling the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 15.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...