Antino is set to line up in a hot edition of the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, with trainer Tony Gollan confident his veteran galloper is better equipped than the horse who ran fourth in the race last year.

The Queenslander enjoyed a standout spring after his 2024 Memsie effort, demolishing rivals by 6-1/2 lengths in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap and finishing second to Mr Brightside in the Champions Mile. His Hong Kong trip proved disappointing, but he returned home to claim both the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes and Group 1 Doomben Cup earlier this year.

Gollan said the seven-year-old has benefited greatly from maturity. “He’s a better horse this time, I think. He’s a really mature animal now, used to the travel and just a tougher horse,” he said. “That Doomben Cup preparation has put him in great shape for this spring.”

Antino has been stabled at Cranbourne for the past fortnight and had a quiet 1000m jumpout last week, finishing eighth behind Just Folk. “I was really pleased with it and he’s come on since. He’s in good order,” Gollan said.

This year’s Memsie looms as a stellar contest, with Mr Brightside, Pinstriped, Fangirl, Another Wil, Private Eye and Buckaroo among the nominations. The meeting also includes the Group 3 McNeil Stakes, featuring Devil Night and Vinrock, and the Cockram Stakes, headlined by Magic Time.

Punters can back Antino and other contenders in the Memsie Stakes via Australia’s leading betting sites.