After going to the line untested when fourth in the Listed The Sofitel (1400m) at Flemington, the Redwood gelding Antino again carried the weight of punters in Sunday’s Group III Ladbrokes Sandown Stakes (1500m) at Sandown-Hillside, and it was a considerably easier watch.
Ridden by Blake Shinn for Tony Gollen, Antino enjoyed a trouble-free run before hooking up with a tenacious Here To Shock. Under hard riding by Shinn, Antino gradually edged clear of the son of Shocking by a long-neck with the 7-year-old Verrazano (USA) gelding Superium a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.
A $27,000 purchase for New Balance Racing from the Cheltenham Stables draft at the 2020 NZB Ready to Run Sale, Antino advances his record to an impressive nine wins and a third from 11 starts with earnings of $481,415.
“He was given a beautiful run and did everything he normally does,” Gollan said.
“He was a bit tardy to begin but mustered into a good spot. It was a tradesman-like win without being brilliant, but that is what we have seen from him in Brisbane. He will be better again in 13 days.
“I thought he knuckled down well late and had more weight than the second horse. He did a good job and continued to fight.
“He doesn’t win all his races by big spaces, and as he gets further into a prep he continues to improve.
“It’s on to the Toorak.”
Antino is the best of three winners from four to race for the unraced Bahhare mare Mahamaya.
A sister to Group 1 Wellington Captain Cook Stakes winner Hurrah and the Group 1 Sha Tin Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup runner-up Best Gift, Mahamaya has not had a live foal since Antino and was not covered last spring.
