Antino’s commanding six-length victory in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield has set the stage for a potential tilt at the prestigious Hong Kong Mile in December.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding produced a sensational last-to-first performance, leaving rivals trailing far behind under the expert hands of jockey Blake Shinn.
The impressive win has shifted Gollan’s focus towards international glory. Antino holds a speculative entry for the Hong Kong Mile, and Saturday’s dominant display has made this trip a realistic option.
“This might change things now… I was maybe going to go to the Rupert Clarke and then to Hong Kong, but I’ll just play it by ear,” Gollan said after the race.
With Antino at the peak of his powers, Gollan believes the key is maintaining the gelding’s current condition.
“It’s just a matter of holding him in that condition,” Gollan remarked, hinting at big plans ahead for the rising star.
A decision on Antino’s future, including whether he heads to Hong Kong, will be made in the coming weeks as connections assess the gelding’s readiness for international competition.
