Toorak Handicap: Tony Gollan reveals moment when he knew Antino was special
Antino faces his biggest test in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
When Tony Gollan first got Group 1 Toorak Handicap contender Antino, he never realised he had an equine Ferrari in his stable.
"Antino was a maiden winner on the Sunshine Coast last year – he then had a spell and made his way to our place," champion Queensland trainer Gollan recalls.
"He is not a horse who knocks your socks off at trackwork, he is a horse who just goes about his business.
"So in the early days, I didn't really know what I was dealing with."
Antino was trained by Adam Campton for his maiden win on debut, when powering to a three-length win on a Sunday meeting on the Sunshine Coast.
Antino's Hong Kong-based owner then decided to send the Redwood gelding to Gollan and he has barely stopped winning since.
He boasts a career record of nine wins from 11 starts and you could argue he should be unbeaten.
One of his two losses – when he went down to stablemate Tick Tock Queen in The Gateway at Eagle Farm last December – would have given him a golden ticket into the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap if he had won.
It was at Antino's next start when Gollan realised he could have something very special on his hands.
"I thought when he won a Benchmark race at Doomben, with a big weight circling them, that he was pretty good," Gollan said.
"The rail was out that day and they just don't normally win like that.
"They loom up at the 100m and they run fifth.
"But he was able to get his head down and win.
"That's what he is, a real winner.
"When he comes to getting into a fight, he is always up for it."
Antino has won six of his past seven. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
Gollan is under no illusions that it will be tough trying to conquer boom Simon Miller-trained hype horse Amelia's Jewel and win the Toorak at Caulfield.
Antino's task has been made no easier by drawing the widest barrier 17 – although bookies are certainly not writing him off and have kept him safe as a $7 chance.
Regardless of the result, Gollan said there is every chance he will have a few beers on Saturday night with rival trainer and good mate Miller.
"Simon and I get along well, he is a good bloke and a lot of fun," Gollan said.
"I think he and Walshy (Amelia's Jewel's owner Peter Walsh) are making the Victorian carnival great fun with the way they have gone about things.
