Antino blitzes the field in Doomben Cup stunner
Now a dual Group 1 winner, $3 favourite Antino was as impressive as his 6-½ length victory in last year's Toorak Handicap, Blake Shinn once again circling the field to score by four lengths over $8.50 chance Fawkner Park, with Kovalica ($7) just edging Militarize ($19) for third.
Relishing the typically punishing tempo set by Pride Of Jenni, who was a noted betting drifter and a spent force early in the straight after being dug up to lead, Antino backed up his 3-½ length win in the Hollidale Stakes to confirm his position as one of the top horses in Australia.
This was Tony Gollan's eighth career Group One win and third in his home state of Queensland, and 'special' was the word he felt best described the win.
'He's been the best horse I've trained for some time,' Gollan said.
'Took until last year to win the Toorak, win the Group One and from then, I think we've all just got better as a team, haven't we? We've done things better and he's gone to another level.
'What we've seen today is pretty special. It's a pretty good Doomben Cup field. He's won impressively and we can set our sights now on Melbourne in the spring.
'He's a very good horse, a world class jockey, and I've got a world class team to help me get him ready.'
Now clearly proven over 2000m, targets don't come much bigger than the race Gollan has set his sights on, suggesting the Cox Plate would be his Spring goal.
'We'll put him away now for the Cox Plate. I think his style of racing, suits a race like that, that amphitheatre there, where they can build and build and build,' Gollan said.
'I just said to Blake today, I couldn't get him any better than what he is today and when it's time to go, he'll give it to you today. He's really spot on.
'At the Gold Coast he was a little bit soft. Today, he's rock fit and that's pretty impressive. That's as good a win as I've been involved in. It means a lot to the whole team.'
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