Top Australian jockey Blake Shinn flies back into Hong Kong on the eve of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) for important rides at Sha Tin in two of the four Group One features on Sunday, 8 December.
He is on a mission to give a visiting Australian horse its first victory at Hong Kong’s biggest meeting of the year since Falvelon’s success in the 2001 Hong Kong Sprint (1000m).
The Melbourne-based jockey, who is well known to Hong Kong racegoers, is confident New Zealand-bred gelding Antino is a genuine chance in the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) for Queensland trainer Tony Gollan.
Shinn rode Antino to a 6-1/2 length victory two starts back in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield, while Mark Zahra partnered the six-year-old gelding to a narrow second at his most recent start in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) behind fellow Kiwi-bred Mr Brightside at Flemington.
Shinn was lauded for his ride on Antino in the Toorak Handicap when, after settling in last position, he made his move at the 700m mark and hit the lead at the home turn and then careered away for a demolition of the opposition.
After missing the ride on Antino in the Champions Mile because of suspension, Shinn is looking forward to getting back on the gelding and tackling a field of elite milers.
“I am very excited,” Shinn said.
“It’s been a race on the forefront of the connections’ minds and to be going over there with him and the form he is in, I’m sure he is going to do everyone proud.”
Shinn said Antino was absolutely brilliant when he won the Toorak Handicap and hopefully he can emulate that run.
After a successful riding stint in Hong Kong, Shinn announced in early 2022 he would not renew his licence and planned to return to Melbourne where his family is based.
Asked if he’d return to ride in Hong Kong full-time, Shinn replied: “Hard to say. I’m just concentrating on Australia and doing well there.
“I have got great memories of Hong Kong and I’m not going to say never.”
He won three Group One features during his Hong Kong stint, two on Russian Emperor and the other on Sky Field.
Shinn will be kept busy on the LONGINES HKIR day with rides on the undercard for Jamie Richards, Douglas Whyte, Caspar Fownes and Mark Newnham.
“For them to show their support and give me rides, it means a lot,” he said. “I’m grateful to all those trainers.”
Bred by George Kit Ma’s Blossom Trading & Breeding Company Ltd, Antino is by Westbury Stud stallion Redwood.
Out of a full-sister to Group One gallopers Hurrah and Best Gift, Antino’s dam Mahamaya was purchased for just $3,000 in foal to Redwood at the 2018 Karaka May Sale by Logan Salvador on behalf of Ma.
Antino was purchased for $27,000 by Ramchandani under his New Balance Racing banner at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale from the draft of Cheltenham Stables.
He has gone on to win 11 of his 22 starts to date and has accrued more than A$2.2 million in prizemoney.