‘That was serious, wasn’t it?’: Tony Gollan-trained Antino and jockey Blake Shinn make 2025 Doomben Cup a one-act affair

Queensland superstar Antino became the first local horse in more than 40 years to win the $1 million Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Jockey Blake Shinn raises his arms in triumph as he comes back to scale on Doomben Cup winner Antino. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

“That was serious wasn’t it?”

Tony Gollan’s great mate and rival trainer Ciaron Maher summed it up best as Antino produced a devastating four-length Group 1 Doomben Cup romp and was immediately set for a spring Cox Plate mission.

Even Maher, disappointed after reigning Australian Horse Of The Year Pride of Jenni led and faded into 10th, was in awe of Antino.

And it was beer o’clock at Doomben as punters not only rejoicing at the hometown victory with their new racing superstar, but sinking free beer thanks to a Brisbane Racing Club promotion should Antino or Pride Of Jenni win.

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Gollan has won big-time Group 1s before – not to mention 11 straight Brisbane training premierships – but this was arguably his crowning moment.

Blake Shinn has produced some daring rides to win on Antino in the past but some wags quipped he shouldn’t get a riding fee for Antino’s dazzling Doomben Cup triumph, such was its ease.

There were milestones aplenty as it was a record-breaking fourth Doomben Cup for Shinn and the race was also run in track record time (2 min 00.88 seconds).

The bottom line though is that Gollan, as he has long suspected, and as Maher said post-race, has a very serious horse on his hands.

Antino, now a two-time Group 1 winner, will be targeted at the Cox Plate in the spring for which he is now the $8 second favourite behind Via Sistina.

Antino is an absolute star! The Queenslander dominates the Doomben Cup for @tonygollan 🏆 @blake_shinnpic.twitter.com/3GtDfiSKFB

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025

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Gollan is more known for training sprinters but now has a superstar over 2000m.

“This is a new beast in my career,” an emotional Gollan said.

“This has been the best horse I have trained – after winning the Toorak Handicap last year we have all just got better as a team.

“Antino has gone to another level, what we have seen today is pretty special.

“It was a pretty good Doomben Cup field and now we will set our sights on the Cox Plate in the spring.

“His style of racing will suit a Cox Plate where you can build and build into it.

“Sometimes he doesn’t break out of the barriers well but Blake just lets him get into his stride and he knows when it is time to go.

“I just said to Blake today I couldn’t get him any better and he will do the job for you.

“That’s as good a win as I’ve been involved in.”

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Shinn was also overcome with emotion.

“That’s some horse,” the star jockey said.

“Antino told me when he wanted to get rolling about the half mile, and it was time to go.

“He went from being about seven lengths off them to having the race at his mercy very quickly.

“I knew he would keep that gallop up.

“It’s great for Queensland racing to witness Antino at his best here today and it’s great to showcase a horse of his ilk.”

Gollan was bred in Toowoomba – learning his craft under his late father and training legend Darryl Gollan.

Gollan’s Mum Paulette was overcome with emotion trackside at Doomben.

Tony Gollan’s wife Jane and mother Paulette enjoy Antino’s Doomben Cup victory. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

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Maher said Pride Of Jenni “didn’t run to her best” and he would have a debrief with owner Tony Ottobre.

Ottobre recently told Racenet he would never make a decision on race day again after prematurely retiring Pride Of Jenni last year.

Pride Of Jenni’s jockey Craig Newitt said the mighty mare was “a little bit cantankerous pre-race” and had been slow away from the inside barrier.

“She showed a bit of fight when straightening but when Antino went past so quick, it was almost like the white flag went up,” Newitt said.

Originally published as ‘That was serious, wasn’t it?’: Tony Gollan-trained Antino and jockey Blake Shinn make 2025 Doomben Cup a one-act affair