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The dream is alive after Antonio Giuseppe completed a city hat-trick with another tough, grinding win at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Antonio Giuseppe showed admirable staying qualities to turn imminent defeat into a narrow but impressive win in the Schweppes Handicap (1800m).
Trainer Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman gave Antonio Giuseppe their big-race seal of approval after the lightly-raced gelding improved his record to four wins from seven starts.
“The dream is to get to the (Group 1 $750,000) The Metropolitan (October 1) but we are pressed for time,” Waller said. “He is going to have to skip a class somewhere to try to get there.’’
Bowman had to earn his fee on Antonio Giuseppe but the champion jockey was suitably impressed. “He’s only going to improve, he’s a black type-horse in the making,’’ he said.
Antonio Giuseppe, a son of 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, hasn’t raced beyond 1800m but Bowman is convinced the four-year-old will run a strong 2400m, the distance of The Metropolitan.
“I think he will run a mile-and-a-half,’’ Bowman said. “When he gets to that trip, the world is his oyster.’’
Antonio Giuseppe eased from $1.80 to $2.05 favouritism and made tough work of the win for his backers, rallying after being headed in the straight to beat stablemate Four Carat ($31) by a half-head with Lanciato ($7.50) 1¼ lengths away third.
Waller took over the training for Antonio Giuseppe this preparation and after an unplaced first-up run over a sprint trip, he has won over 1550m at Canterbury before his Rosehill wins at 1500m and 1800m.
“He has had to sustain a long run, he was off the bridle from the 600m last start and again today but he still keeps fighting,’’ Waller said.
“I feel when we step him up in trip he will be even better as he won’t go through that flat spot as you saw at the 600m today. He will travel a lot better in his races.’’- The Daily