ANTINO FOLLOWING A SIMILAR PATH TO FALVELON. WILL IT LEAD TO THE SAME OUTCOME?

By Darren Winningham | Monday, December 2, 2024

Having a discussion with Andrew Hawkins – Australian horse racing and sporting statistics guru and all-round good bloke – well he has to be – he is a NSW man and supporter!

Hawkins highlighted some interesting statistics related to Falvelon, the last Australian horse to win on HKIR day at Sha Tin back in 2000, and Queenland’s own Antino who will be striving for HKIR success on Sunday.

Falvelon was also Queensland based (with trainer Danny Bougoure). Antino races under the guidance of Queensland’s top trainer Tony Gollan. Falvelon was ridden by Damian Oliver. Antino will be ridden by Blake Shinn … both Melbourne based jockeys.

When Falvelon won in 2000 he was unplaced in the Stradbroke at Eagle Farm in the same year. He went on to win on Caulfield Guineas Day winning the Schillaci (Group 2) and then he went on to win the Hong Kong International Sprint (Group 1).

Now look at Antino’s form in 2024. He was unplaced in the 2024 Stradbroke. He then went onto win the Group 1 Toorak on Caulfield Guineas Day and now he is in Hong Kong looking for Group 1 victory again in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (Group 1).

Is this an omen?

Can lightning strike twice – we will know come Sunday.

More articles