An early-morning trial at Deagon on Tuesday will feature a strong contingent of Queensland’s elite gallopers, headlined by Antino’s first public step towards a Sydney autumn campaign.
Trainer Tony Gollan has left no stone unturned since the seven-year-old finished last in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in October.
Despite that result, Gollan is confident Antino has returned in top order.
“I’m very happy with him,” Gollan added on Antino.
“I did bone scans and had all sorts of tests done, x-rayed all his joints everywhere and there was nothing that we didn’t know.
“He’s got a bit of wear and tear but there are no significant injuries.”He seems as good or better than where he was last year.”
The plan is a traditional lead-up towards the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), with a likely first-up run in Sydney on February 14.
Antino will contest a 1050-metre trial alongside Magic Millions Snippets winner Zarastro.
“It will be a soft trial,” Gollan said.
“He’ll be at the back and probably won’t trouble the scorer just following them around.
“Then he’ll have another one a couple of weeks later and then hopefully head to Sydney for his first-up run.”
Antino is rated an $11 chance for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, while Sir Delius heads the market.
“If I want to drop the bar or space him out, I can look at saving him for the Doomben Cup as well,” Gollan said, referencing Antino’s Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) triumph last May.