Saturday Summary: Antino does Queensland proud, now eyes Cox Plate riches

Cover image courtesy of Trackside Photography

Antino tops the lot of Group 1 victories for champion Gollan

Tony Gollan has trained eight Group 1 winners, and he believes Antino (NZ) (Redwood) (GB) prevailing in the Doomben Cup is the best of the lot.

Apart from the fact the proud Champion Queensland Trainer became the first conditioner in the Sunshine State to win the Doomben Cup since Lord Seaman (Seaman) saluted in 1983, it was the way in which Antino won which had Gollan emotional after the race.

With Blake Shinn aboard, he scorched past reigning Australian Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) at the turn for home, and went on to score by a stunning four lengths.

The win in the $1 million feature over 2000 metres was Antino's 13th from 26 starts, and it took his earnings to more than $3.1 million.

Gollan is now daring to dream of Cox Plate riches for Antino, who was purchased for just NZ$27,000 by New Balance Racing from Cheltenham Stables at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.

“He's been the best horse I've trained for some time. Took until last year to win the Toorak, won the Group 1, and from then I think we've all just got better as a team, haven't we?” Gollan said.

“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 helps me get him ready.”

Redwood stands for a fee of NZ$10,000 (plus GST) fee at Westbury Stud, and is also the sire of Group 1 victors Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) and Rock On Wood (NZ).

It was the second-straight win for Antino, who also saluted in comprehensive fashion in the G2 Hollindale Stakes last start at the Gold Coast on May 10.

“Very Exciting, all right. He's heart in your mouth stuff. He doesn't break well, but Blake just lets him get into his stride and then when it's time to go, it's time to go,” Gollan said.

“I just said to him today, ‘I couldn't get him any better’.

“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. And it means a lot to the whole team.”

Gollan is now daring to dream Antino can be a competitive proposition in this year’s Cox Plate.

“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, you know, why not? I mean, he stamped himself as one of Australia's best weight-for-age horses, particularly at the middle distance. I'm just awfully grateful to the ownership group for giving him to me to train. He's a privilege to train, and I can't wait to get him to Melbourne in the spring.”

Shinn, also emotional at the ease of Antino’s victory, echoed Gollan’s thoughts on the 6-year-old gelding’s readiness to launch a Cox Plate assault.

“He’s some horse … I think he's ready for it,” he said.

“Look, obviously he's going to tackle Via Sistina and the like, but I think he's at an age now and he's had some hardened racing against Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni. Tony's just nurtured this horse. He's at the peak of his powers. It's just great to be associated with him, and I feel very honoured.”

Philia Queensland Oaks-bound after all-the-way Roses salute

David Vandyke has heaped praise on Vinery Stud stallion All Too Hard after his filly Philia produced an eye-catching all-the-way performance to salute by half a length in the G2 The Roses.

The 3-year-old showed very impressive stamina to win the 2000-metre staying feature worth $300,000 with ease with Kerrin McEvoy aboard.

By All Too Hard, who stands for $27,500 (inc. GST) at Vinery Stud, and out of the Johannesburg (USA) mare Meerlust, Vandyke is rapt with the pedigree of his developing filly.

Meerlust has also thrown Group 1 winner Duais (Shamus Award) and Group winner Baccarat Baby (Casino Prince), with Saturday her third stakes winner from just six runners.

“She’s a half to Duais who is a multiple group one winner. Won at 2400 (metres). Baccarat Baby, who has won at group level,” Vandyke said.

“It is an impeccable pedigree and, All Too Hard, I love the stallion. She’s just full of guts and wants to do it.”

Vandyke was confident Philia would not tire after establishing her early lead.

“I knew she was 100 per cent going into today. The 2000 (metres) was a question mark. Kerrin made it a staying test. He was taken on two or three times and he didn’t care. He just wanted to hold the front,” he said.

“When I saw her going past the post the first time he was off the bit and letting her roll. She had to sprint a few times during the race and yet she still had the audacity to kick at the top of the straight and hold off the late charge.”

Vandyke is now aiming Philia with confidence at the G1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on June 7.

“Into the Oaks, when she’s got that amazing racing pattern where she can get taken on and absorb pressure, she loves it,” he said.

“That was a month between runs so now I’ve got that nice two weeks. Hard run today, 2200, bring on the Oaks.”

War Machine ready for Stradbroke

Winning trainer JD Hayes believes War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel {Ire}) will take some beating in the Stradbroke Handicap, after his convincing 2.5l victory in the BRC Sprint.

It will provide Lindsay Park with a great opportunity to claim their first race in that event at Group 1 level after their 4-year-old gelding could not be stopped, breaking clear before the final furlong.

“He had his ears pricked on the line, and we’re really looking forward to the Stradbroke,” winning co-trainer JD Hayes said.

“He’s a lovely calm animal and a real professional. That was only his twelfth start and he’s on the way up. Extremely excited to see what we can do in the next couple of weeks and in the spring.”

War Machine is by Darley stallion Harry Angel (Ire), who is standing the 2024 season at a fee of $66,000 (inc. GST).

“That was an unbelievable effort by the horse. We’ve only had him a short time. He came in incredible condition from Ballymore, and we’ve been very lucky to inherit him and he’s gone from stride-to-stride, and a beautiful ride,” Hayes said.

“It looked like we’d get a beautiful fun from the barrier and he’s let down well, which he did.”

Beautiful turn of foot sees Pulchritudinous prevail

Her last win was last year’s G1 New Zealand Oaks, but Pulchritudinous (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}) is set for a step up in trip after her half-length victory in the G3 Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Mile.

The 4-year-old mare found late on the straight in the $200,000 feature, and prevailed from three deep.

The performance had co-trainer Adrian Bott predicting she can step up in distance, notching up her fourth victory from 11 starts for Yulong Investments.

“I want to see her getting up in trip and she’ll keep improving. I think today’s performance was going to determine which way she’d go,” he said.

“Whether this lifts our sights a bit more, we’ll try and think about the residual value for Yulong and see if we can add to that going forward. Importantly, she is back in good shape today.

“The trial was the best we’d seen her since arrival. Very encouraging.”

The sire of Pulchritudinous, Wrote (Ire), has four stakes winners and it was the first at that level for dam, Showus (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) from five runners.

Cheers to Headwater gelding Manhood, now a Listed winner

Headwater again proved he not only has a bargain stud fee, but also produces good-looking winners who can comfortably salute at stakes level.

That was the case in the Listed Chief De Beers at Doomben, his 6-year-old gelding Manhood triumphing by 1.5l for Rob and Annabel Archibald.

It never looked in doubt for Manhood as he led throughout and comfortably held off King Kapa (Capitalist).

Manhood was a bargain $35,000 purchase by Michael Costa Racing and Jamie Piggott from Widden Stud at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Not only was the performance an eye-catching one, winning jockey Rachel King said it was a smooth ride aboard her mount who now has eight wins from 29 starts.

“First time sitting on him and I said to Annabel it is like sitting in a big armchair. He does everything right. He jumped well and probably took a stride to get into his stride, but a beautiful rhythm and just kept building,” she said.

“With the 53 (kilograms) on his back I knew I could push the button a little bit earlier than normal, and he just kept finding.”

Manhood’s sire Headwater stands for just $6600 (inc. GST) at Vinery Stud, and has produced Group winners including Mileva, Aitch Two Oh, Wisdom of Water and Starlight.

Headwater was the Champion Second Season Sire in 2020/2021, with 61 per cent winners to runners, and now has nine stakes victors.

“He (Manhood) is a real stable favourite and a flagbearer for the team up here – normally offseason,” Archibald said.

“To win a stakes race during the Carnival is great for the owners.

“He’s very well named and very good looking. We’ll find another race for him in a couple weeks.”

It was the first stakes winner for Manhood’s dam, Lonhro mare My Miss Pedrille, from three runners.

“Todd (Pollard, head of the Brisbane stables) just pointed out to me that we think it is the first stakes race he (Manhood) has run in. I don’t know how we’ve avoided it with his rating,” Archibald said.

“Great ride by Rachel. Once Economics missed the kick I thought we’d probably have the lead. A great job by Todd and the team up here.”