Anton win enhances Lee move

BALLINA trainer Stephen Lee has shown he would be a force in Brisbane when he opens a Gold Coast satellite stable soon.

Lee’s tough gelding Anton En Avant ($9) outslogged a handy field of stayers to beat My Giuliano ($5.50) at Doomben on Saturday.

In recent years, Lee has made many successful trips to Brisbane with his team but feels he can be even more competitive with a base closer to metropolitan racing.

“We will keep Ballina going but the Gold Coast is only an hour up the road and I intend to have 10 to 15 horses there for at least the summer,” he said.

“It should be a help with race day travel and training.”

Anton En Avant has been a great money spinner, winning his 11th race and going past $300,000 in prize money with Saturday’s victory.

“He is a tough old horse and he likes wet tracks and 2200m,” Lee said.