Tony Gollan has long-hailed Antino (NZ) (Redwood) as the best horse he has put a saddle on and those convictions were well and truly proved correct when the striking near-black galloper trounced his rivals in Saturday’s Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).
The Queensland conditioner will now stick to his original plan of getting the son of Redwood to the Gr.1 Hong Kong International Mile (1600m) on December 8, although the path to the race has altered slightly.
The Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on November 9 in now the likely stepping stone rather than the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) a week later.
“We’ve been thinking about Hong Kong for a year, it’s not an afterthought,” Gollan told Radio TAB.
“Obviously, the connections are from there and it would be a great thrill to have a horse that they own and purchased, come back and actually race for them on their doorstep.
“It’s unlikely when you buy a horse like this, it was ever going to happen. And to be able to get back there and race on their biggest day with its limitation from the club, it’s probably too good an offer for us not to have a good look at.
“That’s the plan now. But he’s got to get through Flemington yet (Champion Mile).
“It’s eight weeks to Hong Kong and he’s got to run a mile against the best milers up there that they have to offer.
“I can’t just sit idle for eight weeks and go there into a mile race like that. I think running in the Champions Mile on the way through is the right thing to do.”
Antino was rated 108 heading into Saturday’s Handicap, but after a near seven length demolition job weight-for-age racing is now on the agenda, with a long-term goal next year’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m).
Bred by George Kit Ma’s Blossom Trading & Breeding Company Ltd, Antino is by Westbury Stud stallion Redwood.
Out of a full-sister to Group One gallopers Hurrah and Best Gift, Antino’s dam Mahamaya was purchased for just $3,000 in foal to Redwood at the 2018 Karaka May Sale by Logan Salvador on behalf of Ma.
Antino was purchased for $27,000 by her Hong Kong owner Jeetu Ramchandani under his New Balance Racing banner at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale from the draft of Cheltenham Stables.
The six-year-old gelding advanced his record to 11 wins from 21 starts with a further five placings and prizemoney of A$1,668,865.
