Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside battles have helped toughen up Antino for shot at Toorak Handicap redemption

The benefits of racing against the best has Queensland galloper Antino battle-hardened in his bid to go one better in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap.

The benefits of racing against the best has Queenslander Antino battle-hardened for Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) redemption.

Antino, touched off in the Toorak last year, has placed third behind weight for age superstars Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni the past two starts.

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Brisbane premiership trainer Tony Gollan was open minded going into the Melbourne spring but Antino’s run in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes second-up cemented Toorak ambitions.

“I knew when I came down here going through the weight-for-age ranks was going to be really tough but I thought he handles a bit of tough racing,” Gollan said.

“I wanted to do that and then drop him back to a handicap, I think the weight-for-age racing particularly against Jenni toughens up your horse quite a bit.

“He’s really bounced through that race (Feehan Stakes) really well, to go back to a handicap now it’s not going to seem like a big task.”

Antino (left), second in last year’s Toorak Handicap, is aiming to go one better inthe race on Saturday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

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Antino is $4.60 second favourite with Ladbrokes behind Another Wil at $3.

Desert Lightning ($7), Craig ($7.50) and Osipenko ($10) round out the top five.

“I can’t get him any better than what he is right now … hopefully luck shines on him,” Gollan said.

“Group 1 handicaps you need luck, you need a nice draw and you need a nice run. He’s certainly going well enough.”

Originally published as Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside battles have helped toughen up Antino for shot at Toorak Handicap redemption