Post-race jockey reports from the 2025 Doomben Cup

News.com.au

24-05-2025

Queensland superstar Antino became the first local horse in more than 40 years to win the $1 million Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Antino's victory was the first by a Queenslander since Lord Seaman won the weight-for-age contest in 1983.
The race was billed as a two-horse war between Antino and reigning Australian Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni but it fizzled into a one act affair, with Pride Of Jenni beaten turning for home when Antino went on by.
Antino strode clear to win running away by 3-3/4 lengths with Fawkner Park finishing second ahead of Kovalica. Pride Of Jenni was beaten 11 lengths and crossed the line in 10th.
Antino is an absolute star! The Queenslander dominates the Doomben Cup for @tonygollan � @blake_shinn pic.twitter.com/3GtDfiSKFB
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025
The win was Antino's 13th from 26 starts and took his earnings to more than $3.1 million.
This is what the riders thought of their mount's performance in the Doomben Cup.
â– â– â– â– â–
1st – ANTINO (Blake Shinn) He's some horse. He told me when he wanted to get rolling about the half mile when I just pulled him off Osipenko's back and it was time to go and, yeah, it was a great feeling. He went from about seven (lengths) off them to have the race at his mercy about the 400m and I knew he'd keep that gallop up. It's great for Queensland racing to witness Antino at his best here today. It's great for Tony Gollan, and it's great to showcase a horse of his ilk. It's special to be on him.
2nd – FAWKNER PARK (Ethan Brown) Great run. He was just a bit awkward into stride. Shuffled back a bit further than what I would have liked but the way the race panned out, I don't think it really mattered. Antino was too good on the day. Good effort and he'll be suited of over 2200 next start. He is capable of turning the tables under the right circumstances.
3rd – KOVALICA (James McDonald) He ran well.
4th – MILITARIZE (Tommy Berry) He's going well. He just looks like he's looking for further now. Still hitting that flat spot from the 1600 to the 1400 and then he was really good in the straight. Something like the Q22 would suit.
5th – BOIS D'ARGENT (Ryan Maloney) He ran his good, usual honest race. Probably just a bit too sharp for him when the pressure went on.
6th – KLONDIKE (Matthew Poon) Really happy how he ran. Just a little bit further, I expect. He tried hard and ran well. Next start a bit further, he'll run much better.
7th – OSIPENKO (Kerrin McEvoy) He ran a good race. He was wide the trip and stuck on. He was quite brave.
8th – MISS JOELENE (Cejay Graham) Her toughest task to-date but I thought she ran a cracker of a race . She didn't love that horse three-deep laying in on her. She hit a bit of a flat spot at the 600 (metre mark) but she was tough late.
9th – ELIYASS (Tim Clark) Probably a little bit disappointing again. I did have to do a bit of work early from that gate in what was obviously a very fast run race. That left him a bit vulnerable late.
10th – PRIDE OF JENNI (Craig Newitt) Disappointing. She was a little bit cantankerous pre-race today, probably just in front of the crowd. She stepped slow so I had to ask her to muster up and she got into a good rhythm and everything was fine. Got to about the 1000 and started to quicken her up – a little bit like Flemington a couple of starts ago – got to the bottom pretty quick. She showed a bit of fight when straightening but when Antino went past so quick, it was almost like the white flag went up.
11th – LINDERMANN (Nash Rawiller) He had a couple of tough runs which brought out the best of him. Not everything went right the other day with that heavy track and he's shown a few signs that he's got to the end of it.
12th – MY OBERON (Jason Collett) Soft enough run but just had that distance too far.