Chris Waller has eyes on first All Star Mile
After achieving Group 1 status, the All-Star Mile has become a prominent target for renowned trainer Chris Waller.
The nominations for the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 8 closed on Tuesday, with Waller entering seven horses in the $2.5 million race.
Since its inception in 2019, Waller has had only two participants in the race, finishing seventh with Kolding in 2020 and sixth with Star Of The Seas the following year.
Waller’s entries for this year include Atishu, Fangirl, Lindermann, Molly Bloom, Private Life, Scarlet Oak, and Via Sistina, all among the 53 total nominations received on Tuesday.
Waller has indicated that Atishu will be targeted for the Group 1 race, while Fangirl might also be headed to Melbourne, depending on her performance in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, where Via Sistina, Atishu, and Lindermann are also scheduled to return.
“This year the All-Star Mile is a Group 1, which is a bit of a drawcard for me,” Waller remarked.
“She (Fangirl) has come back well. She’s a plain Jane, she doesn’t give you much until race day.”
“Atishu, she’ll run in the All-Star Mile and the Australian Cup. She loves Flemington, and both races are at Flemington.”
“She’ll kick off on Saturday and then head down.”
Mr Brightside, who made a strong return with a second-place finish in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, is aiming to become the first horse to win the All-Star Mile twice, after his victory in 2023 at Moonee Valley.
This will be the Lindsay Park champion’s fourth attempt at the All-Star Mile, following a fourth-place finish in 2022 behind Zaaki and second last year to Pride Of Jenni at Caulfield.
Pinstriped has been nominated for another attempt, having finished 10th in last year’s race. Pride Of Jenni is also back in work with trainer Ciaron Maher after not racing since finishing last behind Mr Brightside in the Champions Mile at Flemington last November.
Melbourne Cup hero Knight’s Choice is also among the nominations for John Symons and Sheila Laxon.
More Racing News
All-Star Mile next for Sabaj following blood test setback
Sabaj, under the care of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, faces a puzzling field in the All-Star Mile with Pride Of Jenni taking part.Saturday's All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington is now the primary target for Sabaj, who skipped last week's Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington due to unsatisfactory blood...
Baraqiel to trial blinkers for Newmarket Handicap push
Baraqiel faces an uphill battle with the weights in pursuit of success in one of the nation's premier short-distance contests, the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.Post-1973 metric weight implementation, merely three runners have prevailed in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) carrying more than 57.5kg, with the race set for Saturday.In...
Green Spaces earns Rachel King's trust for Randwick Guineas tilt
Returning from a triumphant riding spell in Japan, Rachel King has her eyes set on the Sydney autumn series, with a key engagement aboard the inexperienced three-year-old gelding Green Spaces in the Randwick Guineas.The esteem in which King views the Bjorn Baker stable's charge prompted her to jet in from...
Fortunes due to improve for backmarker Bauhinia
Bauhinia, known for settling towards the rear naturally, has often lacked the rub of the green in her races.Co-trainer Lee Curtis expects the mare to see her luck change for the better over autumn, kicking off in Saturday's Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) at Randwick."Her work has been as good as...
Gibbons lands timely Linebacker mount after Rosehill breakthrough
An ordinary benchmark contest at Rosehill back in July evolved into a career highlight for Dylan Gibbons, setting him up to steer star performer Linebacker in the Group One Canterbury Stakes.The promising jockey, mere months removed from shoulder surgery, had steered Good Banter to victory in that midwinter feature.Post-race, he...
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...