Star filly aimed at interstate major

A SHORT break before another feature assault…that’s the plan with outstanding filly Anntonia.

Speaking after Anntonia’s success in the Bathurst Gold Bracelet this evening, trainer David Thorn explained his short term plans with the three-year-old.

Set to give the daughter of Bettors Delight a freshen-up, Thorn will then prime Anntonia for the rich Australian Pacing Gold series.

Beginning with qualifiers closer to home, Thorn hopes to make the trip to Tabcorp Park Melton on May 29 for the $350,000 Final.

In what will be an APG extravaganza, the leading sales company will offer a mouth watering $1.2million across three states that night.

Along with a pair of $350,000 Finals for three-year-olds, the evening includes two $125,000 Two-Year-Old Gold Bullion Finals and two $50,000 Consolations.

Consolations are also scheduled to be held at Club Menangle and Albion Park, while Gloucester Park will host a Consolation the previous night.

“She will have a short break now,” Thorn said. “I will have to look at the calendar but I’d like to give her as much time off as I can manage.

“Then it’ll be on to the first round of APG at Club Menangle and with a bit of luck we’ll end up in Melton for the Final.

“After that she will have a good break heading into the New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge and Victoria Oaks later in the year.”

Driven by in-form reinsman Jack Trainor during her latest triumph, Anntonia led throughout the Group One to score by 15-and-a-half metres from Joanna, with Girl From Oz 10 metres away third.

Rating 1:52.1 over 1730 metres, Anntonia slicesd a tenth of a second from the track record held by Arma Naughty and Fouroeight.

“I wasn’t sure she could lead, but once she did, I didn’t think they would run her down,” Thorn said. “She did it so easily…Jack didn’t pull the plugs.

“Her gate speed was probably the most pleasing part of her run.”