Antino set for race of his life in Cox Plate

By Glenn Davis

Queensland Hall of Fame trainer Tony Gollan has declared Antino ready for the fight of his life in the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Gollan believes he has his Doomben Cup champion spot on for Australia’s $6 million Weight for Age championship and is delighted with barrier six in the small field of nine.

“I’m thrilled with him and the barrier draw - he’s spot on,” Gollan said.

“Barrier six is the winningest barrier in the Cox Plate, Via Sistina is just inside us and there’s speed on his outside.”

Gollan decided to bypass the “Breakfast with the Stars” session at Moonee Valley on Tuesday as Antino is stabled at Ciaron Maher’s property at Cranbourne.

The 12-time Brisbane premiership-winning trainer can’t fault Antino’s preparation.

“His preparation has been great without winning,” Gollan said.

“He’s built on every run and I thought his run when second in the Turnbull last start was great.

“He’s come through that run in great order and three weeks between runs is perfect.”

Antino was one of the stars of the Queensland Racing Carnival. 

He won his second Queensland Horse Of The Year gong following his two Group 1 wins in last year’s Toorak Handicap at Caulfield and Doomben Cup in May.

The seven-year-old also took Gollan overseas for the first time for the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin in December but Antino finished 11th behind local star Voyage Bubble.

Antino has won 13 of his 29 starts and almost $3.3 million in prizemoney and has performed well in all three Group 1 appearances during the Melbourne spring carnival this year.

But, the Cox Plate over 2040 metres has always been his mission.

Gollan has gradually stepped him up from 1400 metres when fifth in the Memsie Stakes to 1600 metres when fourth behind Mr Brightside in the Makybe Diva at Flemington in the middle of September.

The son of Redwood then stepped up to 2000 metres for the first time since his Doomben Cup triumph with an eye-catching second to imported stayer Sir Delius in the Turnbull Stakes over 2000 metres at Flemington on October 4.

However, Antino won’t get the chance for a rematch with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Sir Delius who has been ruled out of the Cox Plate. 

“Sir Delius not running just takes one of the main chances out and tactically, it doesn’t really affect us too much,” Gollan said.

“It just makes the job a little bit easier.”

Via Sistina is currently the $2.05 favourite for the Cox Plate with Antino on the second line at $3.60.