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By Tony Megahey

All the way from Brazil with an engaging accent, strong work ethic and a lengthy racing background, Carlos Antonio is the intriguing identity at the Scone TAB meeting on Sunday with last start winner and outsider Golden Cow.

At 45 years, the former accomplished jockey back home is in a productive second training season and very much a one-man operation at Muswellbrook.

Muswellbrook-based trainer Carlos Antonio. Image by Bradley Photographers

“I ride all my own work, only a small team but Australian racing just offers so much opportunity, we came here for a fresh start; I trained and rode back home in Sao Paulo,” offered Carlos.

“It has a wonderful race track and club.

"Very strong racing, my father was a jockey and trainer before me, we worked together always, it’s what our family knows.

“The Grande Premio is our biggest race, like your Melbourne Cup, very historic.”

Meanwhile, 12 wins is an admirable start for Carlos outnumbered by the profile and heavyweight stables in the Hunter and proximity.

Carlos has last start heavy track Dubbo Class 1, winner Golden Cow engaged in a particularly strong Scone Equine Hospital BM 66, 1000m with 56.5kg less a minimal claim for apprentice Julia Presits who led to win on the three-year-old Outreach filly on a Heavy 10 recently.

But with the heavyweight profile stables of Baker, Cavanough and Perry in opposition, Carlos is under no illusions.

“Yes, much harder race but she is fast and runs her best on wet tracks, it will be that way on Sunday I hope.

“And she’s come back a stronger filly this prep, still improving. We have a good barrier and we will try and lead again with Julia but we know there is more speed in this.”

Julia is having a productive enough season with 11 wins and also rides stablemate Chesteray, an extreme outsider in the third event.

Where most of the meeting focus will be on the brilliant debut winner Clear Thinking (GB) for Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich who have the hottest strike rate in NSW racing.

The elite bred Dubawi (Ire)-Sweet Idea (Snitzel) filly won by a widening eight lengths at Scone at $1.50 with Aaron Bullock and again will be spectator value only as she heads for city grade.

At present Scone is a Soft 6 in fine weather.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Scone here