Tony Gollans “hard luck” gelding, Antino, is warming up for his return to the track this spring, chasing that ominous maiden Group 1 win.
The gelding has had a short break after his 3-run winter carnival, including a dominant win in the Gr. 2 Victory Stakes before a luckless run in the Gr. 1 Stradbroke Handicap.
“He raced in the worst part of the track in the Stradbroke,” Gollan said.
“He should have come out from the corner and raced in the centre, but his sectionals were still unbelievable for a horse that put himself in such a bad spot.”.
This was a sentiment that seemed to plague Antino last spring also, with the gelding always seeming to get buffeted around but still dogging it to the line for a win in the Gr3 Sandown Stakes, as well as placings in the Gr1 Toorak and Gr2 Crystal Mile.
“He is coming along well. He feels really good off a short layoff, and he will tackle some of the big guns first up in the Memsie stakes in Melbourne.”.
