Antino destroys classy Doomben Cup field in race-record time
The last into stride, Antino ($3f TABtouch) settled third from the back as invariable pace-maker Pride Of Jenni ($5) adopted her customary role.
Beyond halfway, Pride Of Jenni had opened up by three lengths on Linderman ($10), who in turn held a similar margin over the chasing pack.
Past the 800m, Blake Shinn hooked Antino to the outside to begin his trademark long run and the six-year-old rapidly began to loop the field, making up ground hand over fist.
Despite being four wide, Shinn had a vice-like grip of Antino as he moved past Pride Of Jenni at the 400m like she was stood still.
With Shinn getting stuck-in up the straight, the son of Redwood effortlessly increased his margin with Fawkner Park and Kovalica toiling away to fill the remote placegetter positions.
Gollan, a Toowoomba boy, has won multiple Group 1s and 11 straight Brisbane training premierships but said this horse was a different breed.
'This is a new beast in my career,' he said.
'This has been the best horse I have trained . After winning the Toorak Handicap last year, we have all just gotten better as a team.
'Antino has gone to another level, what we have seen today is pretty special.
'It was a pretty good Doomben Cup field and now we will set our sights on the Cox Plate in the spring.
'His style of racing will suit a Cox Plate where you can build and build into it.
'Sometimes he doesn't break out of the barriers well, but Blake just lets him get into his stride and he knows when it is time to go.
'I just said to Blake today I couldn't get him any better and he will do the job for you.
'That's as good a win as I've been involved in.'
Pride Of Jenni's trainer and record-breaking master Ciaron Maher summed up the performance in a simple quote:
'That was serious, wasn't it?'
A Brisbane Racing Club promotion meant that free beer was enjoyed by patrons at the meeting thanks to Antino's win.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Roosters stay unbeaten, Titans, Cowboys rope NRLW wins
The Sydney Roosters have cruised to a 42-22 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs to stretch their unbeaten NRLW streak to four matches. Victory was even more impressive considering it was achieved without Golden Boot-winning halfback Tarryn Aiken, who is expected to return next week from a shoulder injury suffered in State of Origin. Her return will only add to the Roosters' attack, though they produced eight tries at Allianz Stadium on Saturday without her. In other results on Saturday, the Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys enjoyed back-to-back wins as the 12 clubs fight for a top-six spot. A double by Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly alongside 239 metres and four line-breaks was part of a 32-0, six-try haul in the opening half, which set up Sydney's victory. But the Bulldogs didn't fall in a heap, outscoring the Roosters 22-10 in the second half - which did not please Sydney coach John Strange. "It was a really good first half, we completed high, executed well and I was happy. But the second half ... not happy," Strange said. "It was just disappointing we got to that lead and couldn't go on with it." The Bulldogs' fightback came from an unlikely source, with 18-year-old debutant winger Elizabeth MacGregor crossing twice in four minutes, before centre Monica Tagoai and half Ash Quinlan scored. Roosters prop Rima Butler kept the wolves from the door with a double, but fellow forward Olivia Kernick has a nervous wait after she was put on report for a hip-drop tackle on Holli Wheeler. A commanding performance by Titans fullback Jaime Chapman helped Gold Coast score consecutive wins on the road with a 20-10 victory over the Warriors in Auckland. Saturday's win in New Zealand followed their victory over Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval last week. Chapman's try complemented her 166 metres, three line-breaks and 12 tackle-busts. Playing the short side proved profitable, with both Titans wingers Lily Patston and Georgia Gray scoring for an early 10-0 lead. That buffer increased to 14-0 after a dummy-half run from utility Lily-Rose Kolc coming off the bench. The Warriors snuck in two tries, including one to winger Payton Takimoana - her fifth this year to take her to the top of the NRLW leaderboard. It's been a welcome bounce back to form by the Titans, who started 2025 with two straight losses. "We didn't have the best start to our season, and the Warriors are a very physical team, but the internal focus lies in the belief within this group,'' said skipper Georgia Hale.' Even more striking is the rebound of the Cowboys from seventh on the ladder after round two to second spot in round four after their third win - a 26-0 whitewash of the Canberra Raiders. Coach Ricky Henry will be pleased his side's 12-0 halftime scoreline more than doubled in the second stanza. All five tries came from the Cowboys' back five, with winger Krystal Blackwell and centre Abigail Roache scoring doubles. Fullback Jakiya Whitfeld wasn't among the scorers but left her mark with 22 runs for 202 metres, 73 post-contact and four tackle-busts. The Sydney Roosters have cruised to a 42-22 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs to stretch their unbeaten NRLW streak to four matches. Victory was even more impressive considering it was achieved without Golden Boot-winning halfback Tarryn Aiken, who is expected to return next week from a shoulder injury suffered in State of Origin. Her return will only add to the Roosters' attack, though they produced eight tries at Allianz Stadium on Saturday without her. In other results on Saturday, the Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys enjoyed back-to-back wins as the 12 clubs fight for a top-six spot. A double by Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly alongside 239 metres and four line-breaks was part of a 32-0, six-try haul in the opening half, which set up Sydney's victory. But the Bulldogs didn't fall in a heap, outscoring the Roosters 22-10 in the second half - which did not please Sydney coach John Strange. "It was a really good first half, we completed high, executed well and I was happy. But the second half ... not happy," Strange said. "It was just disappointing we got to that lead and couldn't go on with it." The Bulldogs' fightback came from an unlikely source, with 18-year-old debutant winger Elizabeth MacGregor crossing twice in four minutes, before centre Monica Tagoai and half Ash Quinlan scored. Roosters prop Rima Butler kept the wolves from the door with a double, but fellow forward Olivia Kernick has a nervous wait after she was put on report for a hip-drop tackle on Holli Wheeler. A commanding performance by Titans fullback Jaime Chapman helped Gold Coast score consecutive wins on the road with a 20-10 victory over the Warriors in Auckland. Saturday's win in New Zealand followed their victory over Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval last week. Chapman's try complemented her 166 metres, three line-breaks and 12 tackle-busts. Playing the short side proved profitable, with both Titans wingers Lily Patston and Georgia Gray scoring for an early 10-0 lead. That buffer increased to 14-0 after a dummy-half run from utility Lily-Rose Kolc coming off the bench. The Warriors snuck in two tries, including one to winger Payton Takimoana - her fifth this year to take her to the top of the NRLW leaderboard. It's been a welcome bounce back to form by the Titans, who started 2025 with two straight losses. "We didn't have the best start to our season, and the Warriors are a very physical team, but the internal focus lies in the belief within this group,'' said skipper Georgia Hale.' Even more striking is the rebound of the Cowboys from seventh on the ladder after round two to second spot in round four after their third win - a 26-0 whitewash of the Canberra Raiders. Coach Ricky Henry will be pleased his side's 12-0 halftime scoreline more than doubled in the second stanza. All five tries came from the Cowboys' back five, with winger Krystal Blackwell and centre Abigail Roache scoring doubles. Fullback Jakiya Whitfeld wasn't among the scorers but left her mark with 22 runs for 202 metres, 73 post-contact and four tackle-busts. The Sydney Roosters have cruised to a 42-22 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs to stretch their unbeaten NRLW streak to four matches. Victory was even more impressive considering it was achieved without Golden Boot-winning halfback Tarryn Aiken, who is expected to return next week from a shoulder injury suffered in State of Origin. Her return will only add to the Roosters' attack, though they produced eight tries at Allianz Stadium on Saturday without her. In other results on Saturday, the Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys enjoyed back-to-back wins as the 12 clubs fight for a top-six spot. A double by Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly alongside 239 metres and four line-breaks was part of a 32-0, six-try haul in the opening half, which set up Sydney's victory. But the Bulldogs didn't fall in a heap, outscoring the Roosters 22-10 in the second half - which did not please Sydney coach John Strange. "It was a really good first half, we completed high, executed well and I was happy. But the second half ... not happy," Strange said. "It was just disappointing we got to that lead and couldn't go on with it." The Bulldogs' fightback came from an unlikely source, with 18-year-old debutant winger Elizabeth MacGregor crossing twice in four minutes, before centre Monica Tagoai and half Ash Quinlan scored. Roosters prop Rima Butler kept the wolves from the door with a double, but fellow forward Olivia Kernick has a nervous wait after she was put on report for a hip-drop tackle on Holli Wheeler. A commanding performance by Titans fullback Jaime Chapman helped Gold Coast score consecutive wins on the road with a 20-10 victory over the Warriors in Auckland. Saturday's win in New Zealand followed their victory over Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval last week. Chapman's try complemented her 166 metres, three line-breaks and 12 tackle-busts. Playing the short side proved profitable, with both Titans wingers Lily Patston and Georgia Gray scoring for an early 10-0 lead. That buffer increased to 14-0 after a dummy-half run from utility Lily-Rose Kolc coming off the bench. The Warriors snuck in two tries, including one to winger Payton Takimoana - her fifth this year to take her to the top of the NRLW leaderboard. It's been a welcome bounce back to form by the Titans, who started 2025 with two straight losses. "We didn't have the best start to our season, and the Warriors are a very physical team, but the internal focus lies in the belief within this group,'' said skipper Georgia Hale.' Even more striking is the rebound of the Cowboys from seventh on the ladder after round two to second spot in round four after their third win - a 26-0 whitewash of the Canberra Raiders. Coach Ricky Henry will be pleased his side's 12-0 halftime scoreline more than doubled in the second stanza. All five tries came from the Cowboys' back five, with winger Krystal Blackwell and centre Abigail Roache scoring doubles. Fullback Jakiya Whitfeld wasn't among the scorers but left her mark with 22 runs for 202 metres, 73 post-contact and four tackle-busts.
The Age
3 days ago
- The Age
Flemington is favourite to host 2026 Cox Plate, but bookies say it's not past the post yet
The TAB entered a six-year, $40 million broadcasting deal with the VRC last year, which includes the owner of this masthead, Nine, broadcasting Melbourne Cup week. But the two sources said TAB boss Gillon McLachlan would welcome a Cox Plate at Flemington and has had positive ongoing discussions with the VRC and Entain, which owns Ladbrokes, about sharing oncourse advertising space. Both racing clubs have several conflicting brands that would need to be onboard before a Cox Plate venue was announced. The VRC has ongoing deals with the TAB, Lexus, Crown, beer brand Furphy and is about to start a partnership with De Bortoli Wines, while Moonee Valley lists some of its key carnival partners as Ladbrokes, Mercedes dealership 3 Point Motors and Seppelt Wines. Moonee Valley CEO Michael Browell said last week that an announcement on the Cox Plate was close. 'We would have liked to have had that wrapped up by now, but a decision on that is imminent,' he said. The VRC chose not to answer specific questions about its corporate partners, but CEO Kylie Rogers continued to hold the line that her club wanted next year's Cox Plate run at its famous racecourse. 'It would be a privilege to host the Cox Plate at Flemington,' Rogers said. 'We have been a key player in discussions and await official confirmation.' A TAB spokesperson said it was working 'collaboratively with all stakeholders on future Spring Carnival scheduling options that can benefit both the industry and our customers', while a Ladbrokes spokesman said the betting giant was 'working closely with the Moonee Valley Racing Club, Racing Victoria, and all relevant stakeholders to support discussions around the most appropriate venue for the 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate'. Racing Victoria said it was awaiting a final recommendation from Moonee Valley before making its decision. 'It will be run at a group 1 track that maximises wagering returns for the industry and where the host track partner can maximise engagement and the best promotion of the race,' an RV spokesperson said. Both Melbourne Racing Club, which runs Caulfield, and its major sponsor Sportsbet said they would support any decision Racing Victoria made about the venue for next year's Cox Plate. The ongoing delay comes as Moonee Valley reopens negotiations with major sporting organisations and sporting companies on the long-term lease of its racecourse infield. The Valley will lock its gates after this year's October Cox Plate and major work will begin on shifting its amphitheatre track as well as building a new grandstand and clubhouse. The AFL, Harness Racing Victoria, soccer organisations and a golf driving range firm are among those seeking exclusive access to the land. 'We haven't ruled anything out, but we haven't ruled anything in at this stage,' Browell said. The AFL wants two new ovals inside the racecourse that would be open to the public and could also potentially provide a training base for the league's homeless umpiring fraternity. Loading Harness Racing Victoria CEO Matt Isaacs said his organisation remained ambitious for a return to Moonee Valley and was in regular dialogue with the club about opportunities for such a move. 'It is an attractive option with significant potential, including exposing harness racing to a greater metropolitan market and building what would be one of the world's greatest harness racing venues,' Isaacs said. 'However, it would require significant investment and carries with it timing challenges. 'We will continue to do due diligence and work with the club and the state government to make sure any decision is in the best long-term interests of the sport.' The state government announced last week it would contribute $5 million to Moonee Valley's $220 million redevelopment, which will go towards new lights, grass and horse stalls.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Under-fire Wallabies dismiss 'ridiculous' criticism
Wallabies winger Harry Potter has rubbished Clive Woodward's suggestion there is a "losing mentality" in Australian rugby ahead of the do-or-die second Test against the Lions in Melbourne. England's World Cup-winning coach Woodward criticised the Wallabies after captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the first Test in Brisbane rather than chase another try. It might have come as some relief to Wallabies fans that their underdogs weren't mauled by the Lions in the series-opening 27-19 defeat. But Potter on Wednesday said Joe Schmidt's men aren't content with simply competing with the Lions. "It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that the 23 people who played on the weekend have a mentality of losing," Potter said at the MCG, which will host the second Test on Saturday night. "We went out there to win the game, and we didn't win the game. "But it was our intention very much and you could tell from every player in the team we wanted to win that game." He said it had been tough looking back at the first Test, in which the Wallabies were out-muscled by the tourists and trailed 24-5 after 42 minutes. Two late tries added some respectability to the scoreboard and gave the Wallabies belief they can turn the tables in Melbourne, with Potter urging his team to heed the lessons learnt. They could also take pointers from the aggressive performance of the First Nations and Pasifika team, which ruffled the Lions' feathers in a narrow 24-19 defeat on Tuesday night. "It felt like we didn't put our best foot forward, particularly in the first 50 or 60 minutes," Potter said of the Wallabies' first Test showing. "There were a lot of lessons to take out of that one. "They're an incredibly strong team and we know that we've got to come out better and start the game stronger. "But I suppose there were some positive signs towards the end of the game. "If we can string enough things together then we'll go a lot better than what we did." Potter said the Wallabies had no need to address the do-or-die nature of the second Test, as they seek to emulate the 2001 Australian side that recovered from 1-0 down to claim a famous 2-1 series win against the Lions. "Everyone's on the same page; you know you have to win this game to keep the series alive," Potter said. "Emotionally it's very simple this week and we all know the task at hand, so I don't think anyone's got any questions about what's at stake." Potter, who will head from Western Force to the NSW Waratahs in the next Super Rugby season, endured a frustrating night on a personal level in Brisbane. And former Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, this week suggested Hunter Paisami be injected into the centres for the Melbourne Test, a move that would shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing and bump Potter out of the side. The London-born 27-year-old lived a period of his youth in Melbourne and said it would be a dream to play at the MCG. "It's a mecca of sport, this place, in my eyes," Potter said. "If I can be out here on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions, it would be a pretty special place to play the game." Potter was in the crowd the last time the Wallabies hosted the Lions in Melbourne, in 2013. Wallabies winger Harry Potter has rubbished Clive Woodward's suggestion there is a "losing mentality" in Australian rugby ahead of the do-or-die second Test against the Lions in Melbourne. England's World Cup-winning coach Woodward criticised the Wallabies after captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the first Test in Brisbane rather than chase another try. It might have come as some relief to Wallabies fans that their underdogs weren't mauled by the Lions in the series-opening 27-19 defeat. But Potter on Wednesday said Joe Schmidt's men aren't content with simply competing with the Lions. "It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that the 23 people who played on the weekend have a mentality of losing," Potter said at the MCG, which will host the second Test on Saturday night. "We went out there to win the game, and we didn't win the game. "But it was our intention very much and you could tell from every player in the team we wanted to win that game." He said it had been tough looking back at the first Test, in which the Wallabies were out-muscled by the tourists and trailed 24-5 after 42 minutes. Two late tries added some respectability to the scoreboard and gave the Wallabies belief they can turn the tables in Melbourne, with Potter urging his team to heed the lessons learnt. They could also take pointers from the aggressive performance of the First Nations and Pasifika team, which ruffled the Lions' feathers in a narrow 24-19 defeat on Tuesday night. "It felt like we didn't put our best foot forward, particularly in the first 50 or 60 minutes," Potter said of the Wallabies' first Test showing. "There were a lot of lessons to take out of that one. "They're an incredibly strong team and we know that we've got to come out better and start the game stronger. "But I suppose there were some positive signs towards the end of the game. "If we can string enough things together then we'll go a lot better than what we did." Potter said the Wallabies had no need to address the do-or-die nature of the second Test, as they seek to emulate the 2001 Australian side that recovered from 1-0 down to claim a famous 2-1 series win against the Lions. "Everyone's on the same page; you know you have to win this game to keep the series alive," Potter said. "Emotionally it's very simple this week and we all know the task at hand, so I don't think anyone's got any questions about what's at stake." Potter, who will head from Western Force to the NSW Waratahs in the next Super Rugby season, endured a frustrating night on a personal level in Brisbane. And former Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, this week suggested Hunter Paisami be injected into the centres for the Melbourne Test, a move that would shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing and bump Potter out of the side. The London-born 27-year-old lived a period of his youth in Melbourne and said it would be a dream to play at the MCG. "It's a mecca of sport, this place, in my eyes," Potter said. "If I can be out here on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions, it would be a pretty special place to play the game." Potter was in the crowd the last time the Wallabies hosted the Lions in Melbourne, in 2013. Wallabies winger Harry Potter has rubbished Clive Woodward's suggestion there is a "losing mentality" in Australian rugby ahead of the do-or-die second Test against the Lions in Melbourne. England's World Cup-winning coach Woodward criticised the Wallabies after captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the first Test in Brisbane rather than chase another try. It might have come as some relief to Wallabies fans that their underdogs weren't mauled by the Lions in the series-opening 27-19 defeat. But Potter on Wednesday said Joe Schmidt's men aren't content with simply competing with the Lions. "It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that the 23 people who played on the weekend have a mentality of losing," Potter said at the MCG, which will host the second Test on Saturday night. "We went out there to win the game, and we didn't win the game. "But it was our intention very much and you could tell from every player in the team we wanted to win that game." He said it had been tough looking back at the first Test, in which the Wallabies were out-muscled by the tourists and trailed 24-5 after 42 minutes. Two late tries added some respectability to the scoreboard and gave the Wallabies belief they can turn the tables in Melbourne, with Potter urging his team to heed the lessons learnt. They could also take pointers from the aggressive performance of the First Nations and Pasifika team, which ruffled the Lions' feathers in a narrow 24-19 defeat on Tuesday night. "It felt like we didn't put our best foot forward, particularly in the first 50 or 60 minutes," Potter said of the Wallabies' first Test showing. "There were a lot of lessons to take out of that one. "They're an incredibly strong team and we know that we've got to come out better and start the game stronger. "But I suppose there were some positive signs towards the end of the game. "If we can string enough things together then we'll go a lot better than what we did." Potter said the Wallabies had no need to address the do-or-die nature of the second Test, as they seek to emulate the 2001 Australian side that recovered from 1-0 down to claim a famous 2-1 series win against the Lions. "Everyone's on the same page; you know you have to win this game to keep the series alive," Potter said. "Emotionally it's very simple this week and we all know the task at hand, so I don't think anyone's got any questions about what's at stake." Potter, who will head from Western Force to the NSW Waratahs in the next Super Rugby season, endured a frustrating night on a personal level in Brisbane. And former Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, this week suggested Hunter Paisami be injected into the centres for the Melbourne Test, a move that would shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing and bump Potter out of the side. The London-born 27-year-old lived a period of his youth in Melbourne and said it would be a dream to play at the MCG. "It's a mecca of sport, this place, in my eyes," Potter said. "If I can be out here on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions, it would be a pretty special place to play the game." Potter was in the crowd the last time the Wallabies hosted the Lions in Melbourne, in 2013.
