Antino in good order for G1 Memsie Stakes return

Posted by RS NewsWire at 4:59pm on August 28th

Jockey Jamie Kah can’t wait for the official opening of the Spring Carnival which coincides with the first Group 1 race of the new season in Melbourne.

Kah will ride Queensland visitor Antino in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, her first ride on the gelding under race conditions.

After a three-run campaign in Brisbane where Antino scored first-up at Eagle Farm in the Group 2 Victory Stakes and that was wound up after finishing 12th in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), Antino has had the finishing stages of his campaign completed in Melbourne.

Trainer Tony Gollan sent Antino to Melbourne a couple of weeks ago to prepare for his first-up tilt at the Memsie Stakes and had a jump-out with Pride Of Jenni at Cranbourne on August 19.

That hit-out was over 1000m, with Antino flashing late to finish second behind the Ciaron Maher-trained star who is the $2 favourite in early betting on the Memsie Stakes with Antino a $6 chance.

Antino, who finished a close second in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) in his only previous appearance at Caulfield, was taken back to that track on Tuesday to be reacquainted with the surrounds.

Kah partnered the gelding and said they had not been out to do a lot, adding she was happy with gelding’s condition ahead of Saturday.

“He’s going great. I didn’t do too much on him today because the track was quite firm out there,” Kah said.

“But I’m really looking forward to the weekend with him.

“They’ve done a lot of work with him to get him really sound and spot on for this weekend, so hopefully it pays off.”

Kah said the offer to ride Antino was done through her manager, Lachie Weekley.

With Kah focussing more on her upcoming rides rather than those of the future, Weekley does a lot of the groundwork.

It was where Antino came on his radar.

“I didn’t know a lot about this horse until the last few weeks,” Kah said.

“My manager was the one that got talking about him.

“I’m not one that looks too far forward, and I just really worry about what I’m riding on weekends, but after riding him in his trial last week, I’m excited to be riding him.”

With nominations left open for the Memsie Stakes until 10am on Tuesday, there were no late additions to the Group 1 race with 12 horses entered.

The final field with barriers will be announced on Wednesday.

More Racing News

Expressway Stakes the ‘Way to go early for Joliestar

Chris Waller’s Apollo Stakes contenders will take center stage at Randwick this Saturday, but the champion trainer also has strong support in the day’s other $300,000 Group 2 races. Joliestar has been entered for the 1400-metre Apollo alongside Via Sistina, Fangirl, and Atishu, but is set to begin her campaign in...

Today

Black Caviar Lightning Stakes could be the making of Maher’s Empire

The only certainty is that Growing Empire will kick off his campaign in Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington. However, the outcome of that race will shape the rest of his season. Trainer Ciaron Maher is eager to secure a maiden Group 1 victory for the son of Zoustar. The three-year-old narrowly...

Today

Mount Barker Cup continues good times for Madi Derrick

Jockey Madi Derrick continued her impressive run of form, securing a double for trainer Ray Malpass, including a standout victory in the Mount Barker Cup (2000m) on Sunday. Seven-year-old gelding Big Swoop proved too strong for his competitors, rounding off a successful day for Malpass, who also saw Sirota claim a...

Today

Strideaway set for Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic goal

Trainer Neville Parnham says Strideaway has improved since her perfect return and is spot on to end his Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) hoodoo at Pinjarra on Saturday. A daughter of Alabama Express, Strideaway created a big impression first up and stamped her Magic Millions credentials with authority, gunning down Do...

Today

Leonchroi could be set for the SA Derby

Grand Syndicates was doing its best to keep its feet on the ground after Leonchroi’s win at Caulfield on Monday, but Blake Shinn’s words might encourage them to aim up with the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained three-year-old. Melbourne’s leading jockey described the gelding as possibly a ‘South Australian Derby...

Today

Black Caviar Lightning Stakes 2025 out but Royal Ascot still a possibility

Isthmus' hopes of competing in a Group 1 event at Flemington have been put on hold due to surgery for an entrapped epiglottis. However, trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman remain optimistic about the mare’s chances of racing internationally. Originally set to launch her autumn campaign in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes...

Today

Ethan Brown after more Group 1 Glory in Black Caviar Lightning Stakes

Jockey Ethan Brown is eager to secure another Group 1 victory as he takes the reins on Mornington Glory in the upcoming Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington. Brown, who has claimed six Group 1 titles since May 2022, is excited to reunite with Mornington Glory for Saturday’s high-stakes sprint....

Today

Chris Waller has eyes on first All Star Mile

After achieving Group 1 status, the All-Star Mile has become a prominent target for renowned trainer Chris Waller. The nominations for the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 8 closed on Tuesday, with Waller entering seven horses in the $2.5 million race. Since its inception in 2019, Waller has had only...

Today

Melham’s Wish could soon come true in Futurity Stakes

Jamie Melham has been eager to reunite with I Wish I Win ever since their first partnership, and her excitement has only grown after witnessing the gelding's recent performances at the Pakenham jumpouts. Melham has teamed up with the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained I Wish I Win for two jumpout...

Today

Here To Shock land Hayes boys international G1 in BCD Group Sprint

Here To Shock delivered an unforgettable victory for Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, securing their first-ever international Group 1 win in New Zealand. The experienced gelding was aimed at the BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, and the ambitious move paid off with a...

Feb 8th