Antino’s trainer Tony Gollan is relishing a Winter Carnival battle against mighty mare Pride Of Jenni

Tony Gollan’s stable star Antino is on a collision course with superstar mare Pride Of Jenni in next month’s $1m Group 1 Doomben Cup.

Antino is poised for a return to racing in Saturday’s All-Aged Stakes at Randwick Trackside Photography

Antino’s champion trainer Tony Gollan insists he isn’t afraid to take on superstar mare Pride Of Jenni during this year’s Queensland Winter Carnival.

Gollan’s stable star Antino and bold frontrunner Pride Of Jenni are on a collision course for the $1 million Group 1 Doomben Cup over 2000m on May 24.

The pair are also likely to clash in the $500,000 Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 10.

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Pride Of Jenni bombed in last month’s Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m), in a second-up run out of retirement, in a performance that perplexed her trainer Ciaron Maher but the three-time Group 1 winner should be a serious player in Queensland this winter.

“He’s used to running against Pride Of Jenni,” Gollan said about his six-year-old gelding Antino.

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“At her best she’s a very talented mare. We ran against her quite a lot last spring.

“He sort of enjoys races where she builds that pressure. There was no real negative for me hearing that she’s coming up here (to Queensland).

“She’s a welcome addition to our carnival. Fortunately our bloke is used to racing against her but some horses who aren’t might find it a bit more difficult.”

Antino’s trainer Tony Gollan is looking forward to the potential clash with Pride Of Jenni this Brisbane winter carnival Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

In September last year, Pride Of Jenni was runner-up to Mr Brightside in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington before winning the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at The Valley 13 days later.

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Queensland sensation Antino, last year’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner, finished third in both those races.

But he did get the better of Maher’s classy mare in the Group 1 Cantala Stakes over a mile at Flemington on November 9 when Antino was runner-up and Pride Of Jenni finished last.

Antino also crossed the post in last spring’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) in fourth spot, one ahead of Pride of Jenni, which has amassed $10.3m in prizemoney.

The star galloper had a jumpout at Eagle Farm last Monday in preparation for his first race this year - the $1.5m Group 1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick this Saturday.

Gollan said he was delighted with Antino’s jumpout on a “shifty track with a lot of kickback”.

“He was out the back with a very heavy rider on so his closing sectionals were quite good,” Brisbane’s premier trainer said.

“I’m happy with him and he’ll really appreciate kicking off with the speed of a 1400m (All-Aged Stakes).

Pride Of Jenni, ridden by Craig Newitt, wins the Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield last month. Picture: Racing Photos

“He’ll run very well first up. Whether he’s sharp enough against this level of horses … the All Aged is a funny race.

“You’ve got those sharp horses coming up from the 1200m to the 1400m and then horses like him (Antino) that are 1400m looking to get out to further.

“I think it’s a good kick-off point for the horse. He’s always ran well at this distance in the past and he’s always run well fresh-up.

“It’s a great starting point and then we get our sights set on the Winter Carnival here in Brisbane.”

Antino has won $2.2m in prizemoney and 11 of his 23 races, including four from six first-up.

Originally published as Antino’s trainer Tony Gollan is relishing a Winter Carnival battle against mighty mare Pride Of Jenni