Antino better-equipped for second Memsie test
Antino (NZ) (Redwood) will be tackling a much stronger Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) that the version he was unplaced in last year, but Tony Gollan is convinced his veteran stable star is a more seasoned horse in 2025.
The seven-year-old son of Redwood resumes in the 1400-metre Group One that is the spring kick-off point for a number of the Spring Carnival's potential headline acts.
The Queensland star has been based at Cranbourne for around a fortnight and Gollan is thrilled with the way he has settled in ahead of his third Victorian spring campaign.
"He's a better horse this time, I think," Gollan said of the galloper who has won half of his 26 starts.
"He's a really mature animal now, he's an older horse and he's well used to the travel and he just feels a lot more durable tougher horse.
"He comes in off that Doomben Cup preparation in the winter and that's held him in good stead for this spring.
"He's settled in a lot better this spring that what he did last spring."
Antino finished fourth last year's Memsie Stakes, which was won by Pinstriped (Street Boss), before going on to win the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) by 6-1/2 lengths.
After a second placing to Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m), he flopped in Hong Kong but returned to his best in his home state earlier this year with resounding wins in the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) and Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m).
Antino was one of 16 entries for what shapes as a mouth-watering Memsie Stakes, which includes the past two winners Mr Brightside and Pinstriped.
Ten other Group One winners are among the nominations for the $750,000 event, including Fangirl (Sebring), Another Wil (Street Boss), Tom Kitten (Harry Angel), Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express), Private Eye (Al Maher) and Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock).
Antino heads into the weight-for-age contest off one low-key 1000m jumpout, an eighth placing behind Just Folk (Magnus) on Monday last week, but Gollan is delighted with how he has done since.
"I was really pleased with it and he's come on from that. He's in good shape," Gollan said.
The Memsie Stakes is the feature event on a Caulfield card that includes the Gr.3 McNeil Stakes (1200m), which features Group One winners Devil Night (Extreme Choice) and Vinrock (I Am Invincible), and a Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) headlined by dual Group One winner Magic Time (Hellbent).
