Queensland star Antino will return in a tougher Memsie Stakes than the edition he contested last year, but trainer Tony Gollan believes the gelding is a more complete horse in 2025.
The seven-year-old, who has won 13 of his 26 starts, resumes in Saturday’s 1400-metre Group 1 at Caulfield after spending the past fortnight at Cranbourne.
“He’s a better horse this time, I think,” Gollan said. “He’s a really mature animal now… he just feels a lot more durable tougher horse.”
Antino finished fourth in last year’s Memsie before storming to a dominant win in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). He later ran second to Mr Brightside in the Champions Mile, then rebounded from a Hong Kong flop with big wins in the Hollindale Stakes and Doomben Cup.
This year’s $750,000 Memsie has drawn 16 entries, including Mr Brightside, Pinstriped, Fangirl, Private Eye and Buckaroo.
Antino comes in off a quiet 1000m jumpout, but Gollan said: “I was really pleased with it and he’s come on from that. He’s in good shape.”