Queensland star Antino is set for another crack at the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, with trainer Tony Gollan confident his seasoned seven-year-old is a stronger, more mature horse heading into the 2025 edition at Caulfield.

Unplaced in last year’s race, which was won by Pinstriped, Antino went on to atone with a brilliant 6-1/2 length demolition in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) before finishing runner-up to Mr Brightside in the Champions Mile. While his Hong Kong trip didn’t go to plan, he bounced back in Queensland earlier this year, capturing the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) and the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m).

Now based at Cranbourne for his third Victorian spring, Gollan believes Antino has taken the next step. “He’s a better horse this time, I think,” Gollan said. “He’s really mature now, he’s well used to the travel and just feels a lot tougher. He comes in off that Doomben Cup prep in the winter and it’s held him in good stead for this spring.”

Antino has had one quiet jumpout over 1000m at Cranbourne, finishing eighth behind Just Folk, but Gollan says he has thrived since. “I was really pleased with it and he’s come on from that. He’s in good shape,” he said.

This year’s $750,000 Memsie has drawn a cracking line-up of 16 entries, including past winners Pinstriped and Mr Brightside, as well as Group 1 stars Fangirl, Another Wil, Tom Kitten, Treasurethe Moment, Private Eye and Buckaroo. The undercard will feature the Group 3 McNeil Stakes, headlined by Devil Night and Vinrock, and the Group 3 Cockram Stakes, featuring dual Group 1 mare Magic Time.

Punters can find odds for Antino and the full Memsie Stakes field through Australia’s top betting sites.