Antino a star attraction during Deagon barrier trials

Antino returns to the public eye on Tuesday morning at Deagon, headlining a barrier trial session as one of Australia’s premier weight-for-age performers stretches his legs ahead of a Sydney campaign.

The seven-year-old’s appearance marks his first step toward the autumn carnival after a puzzling Cox Plate failure at Moonee Valley last spring.

Trainer Tony Gollan has since dissected every element of that run and believes Antino has rediscovered the form that carried him through this time last year.

Gollan is planning a familiar Sydney campaign, with the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 11 firmly on the radar.

Antino’s preparation is expected to kick off in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes over 1400m in Sydney on February 14.

He is entered for the third heat over 1050 metres at Deagon, along with well-credentialled stablemate Zarastro.