Racing Victoria fail to fill the All Star Mile field
A field of 12 will line up for the sixth running of the $4 million All-Star Mile which will be run at Caulfield for the second time.
The All-Star Mile is rotated between the three Melbourne race clubs with Caulfield staging the race for the second time on Saturday.
Race favourite, Mr Brightside, is aiming for a second win in the race and has drawn barrier 11, while his main danger, in betting, Pride Of Jenni has drawn gate six.
The field size may down on previous years, but Racing Victoria says the average rating for each runner is the highest it has been across its six-year history with only one of the 12 runners rated below 100.
Six Group 1 winners will face the starter, the second lowest in the races’ history, but RV pointed out four winners at the highest level and all potential runners – Alligator Blood, Attrition, Duais and Aegon – had all succumbed to injury or setback.
Matt Welsh, Racing Victoria’s Executive General Manager – Racing, said there should be plenty of fireworks with Pride Of Jenni in the race.
“Can Mr Brightside run her down, will Cascadian storm home and go one better than 2023, will the Kiwi Group 1 winners in Desert Lightning and Puntura upstage the locals,” Welsh queried.
“Or will there be a fairytale result?
“This year’s All-Star Mile has already sparked plenty of discussion and now it’s time debate who will win the race.
“We think the All-Star Mile will be an enthralling spectacle with the dynamic of the field assembled.
“The best races are those when we have a genuine tempo and that is assured at Caulfield on Saturday.”
Pinstriped, who will be first-up into the All-Star Mile, has drawn barrier one while Perth visitor Dom To Shoot has drawn widest in gate 12.
Last year’s runner-up Cascadian drew barrier seven while New Zealand visitors Puntara and Desert Lighting have drawn four and eight respectively.
More Racing News
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...