Marnane outlines Antious plans David Marnane has outlined the options for South African recruit Antious as he gears up for his European debut. The six-year-old arrived at Marnane's yard in January after an extensive 110-day quarantine period in both South Africa and Mauritius. Bred in Argentina, Antious landed a Grade Two event at Turffontein in November 2011 but has not run since finishing down the field in a Clairwood Grade One last July. Marnane reports him to be nearing a return and having entered him for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, he is keen to see how he fares on his Irish bow. The trainer told www.davidmarnaneracing.com: "Antious could make his eagerly-awaited Irish debut next month. The seven-year-old, owned by Mr Zalim Bifov, has a couple of options, a conditions race at Cork (May 10th) or the Group Three Greenland Stakes as the Curragh on the Irish 2000 Guineas card 15 days later. "He has settled in nicely to his new surroundings, acclimatized and we are pleased with his progress. He had a racecourse gallop at Dundalk last week and went well. "Antious, rated 110, is a versatile performer and can boast winning form in South Africa from five and a half furlongs up to a mile. He needs fast ground and is a boost to our team."
