Antino set for ambitious Hong Kong Mile tilt after Toorak Handicap: ‘It’s a fair dinkum plan’

Antino has been clashing with the likes of Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside, now trainer Tony Gollan is keen to run him in the Hong Kong Mile following the retirement of superstar Golden Sixty this season.

Antino comes back for revenge in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap on Saturday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri—Getty Images.

A trip to Hong Kong could be dependent on a strong showing from Antino on Saturday when he shoots for Group 1 Toorak Handicap redemption at Caulfield.

Trainer Tony Gollan confirmed his stable star will head off for the required vaccinations to make the trip to Hong Kong in December just days after the Toorak, should he perform as expected in the $1 million feature.

With an official invite from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to compete in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile on December 8, Gollan says he has hatched a “fair dinkum” plan to attack the $6.8 million feature, which has been pillaged by superstar Golden Sixty three of the last four years.

THAT WAS AWESOME! 💙💜

Pride Of Jenni runs her opposition into the ground! 🔥 @[e-mail]/i8oSg4dNbf

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 27, 2024

Owned by the Hong Kong-based Jeetu Ramchandani, Gollan says it is a plan 12 months in the making.

“It’s a fair dinkum plan, we are very keen on it all and we have done all the logistics of it,” Gollan said.

“There has been an invitation from Hong Kong to run him on international day in the Mile, we have been thinking about that race for about a year.

“It’s not just an afterthought.

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“The Jockey Club up there are obviously very helpful and the horse has a Hong Kong connection through his owner.

“It is very enticing to head up there. It is what we want to do.

“There is an opportunity to back off him after the Toorak and he will likely get the first round of vaccinations to travel up there the following week.”

Tony Gollan is keen to travel Antino to Hong Kong in December. Picture: Steve Pohlner

After running second last year with 54.5kg on his back, Antino is a $6 second favourite behind Another Will on Saturday and Gollan concedes he won’t be as well in at the handicap this time around.

Blake Shinn will stay on board as Gollan looks to win his first Group 1 since Jonker took out the 2021 Manikato Stakes.

“The handicap isn’t as kind to him this year but it is easy to see he is going better this time around,” Gollan said.

“I felt last year, he got there third run in, and I reckon he is at his best fourth run in the prep.

“We needed the run in the Feehan the other day to bring him to his top and that is the best he has come out of a race this prep.

“I’m really happy with him, he feels great, he is about as fit as we can get him.”

Originally published as Antino set for ambitious Hong Kong Mile tilt after Toorak Handicap: ‘It’s a fair dinkum plan’