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The Argentinian bred Antious, caused a huge upset as he flew up the straight to win the R450 000 Grade 2 Merchants(1160m) at Turffontein, Johannesburg, on Saturday.

Despite winning his last two starts the gelding found no friends in the betting, with the Durban raider's three latest wins having been over a minimum of 1450m.

Antious did, however, win on debut over the Clairwood 1000m before stepping up in distance, and the Herman Brown/Frank Robinson trained gelding had shown flashes of brilliance during his career.

The favourite, Link Man, was squeezed at the start and consequently lost a length. Gibraltar Blue(IRE) was also restrained in the early running and only surged to the front late in the race.

Coming to the 200m, Gibraltar Blue was in the lead, with Link Man storming up the inside late. Antious under Ian Sturgeon was flying straight up the middle of the track, catching Gibraltar Blue in the final metres to win by three quarters of a length.

Link Man finished third a further half a length back, with Snowden filling the fourth spot.

Antious, who started at 40/1, also caused many a pick six ticket to be torn up, as most punters bankered the De Kock duo, thereby going out in the first leg of the R2.6 million pick six.

Antious is by Pure Prize out of the Affirmed mare Adira and recorded his fifth win from fifteen starts for owner Mr R Bifov.