After winning eight of his first nine starts in Queensland, Antino madeĀ his Melbourne debut at Flemington on September 16 which resulted in regular rider James OrmanĀ being replaced.
Blake ShinnĀ took over in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) on Sunday and the geldingĀ withĀ toĀ gelding needing toĀ pull out all stops toĀ 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-Ā¼ lengths away third.
“Blake had him inĀ a good position, but you could see those leaders were getting away a little coming into the straight,” trainer Tony GollanĀ said.
“But he rounded them up. He was tradesman like today, rather than being brilliant.
“That’sĀ howĀ he’sĀ been in Brisbane, doing the same sort of stuff, but as he progresses into his preparation he gets better, andĀ he’llĀ continue to get better.”
Gollan said plans for Antino areĀ the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 14 while The Five Diamonds at Rosehill on November 11 will be given consideration onĀ hisĀ 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 whatĀ you’llĀ see in the Toorak inĀ a couple of weeks andĀ into the futureĀ 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 timeĀ the geldingĀ wanted to relax.
He saidĀ theĀ majorĀ 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, IĀ don’tĀ know,” Shinn said.
“But he is an exciting horse andĀ it’sĀ great to get a win on him.
“The moreĀ he’sĀ under pressure, the more he keeps giving and a high pressure, potentially the Toorak, I think he will be competitive in.”
