The All Star Mile is here!
The unique conditions event is raced under the weight-for-age scale rotating between Melbourne’s premier racecourses. Racing Victoria first introduced the special 1600m feature in 2019, and it is the only event in Australia where racing fans and punters decide the final field.
To add to the excitement of Melbourne’s’ premier autumn event, a group of lucky voters get the opportunity to be an owner for the day. The winning owner takes home an incredible $250,000!
With some of the best weight-for-age horses in Australasian lining up, join our experts as they preview this year’s bumper edition of the All Star Mile.
#1 i'm thunderstruck
$6.00
The forever teasing I’m Thunderstruck has been good without threatening this campaign. He got too far back in last year’s edition, and he will always need luck in transit with his racing pattern. He is knocking on the door, however, because winning strike rate is an issue, and he is becoming expensive for punters to follow.
#2 alligator blood
$2.90
Best Bet
Alligator Blood is our likely leader. He gave a good sight last start at Sandown, where he controlled the tempo from the outset. He is one of our premier middle-distance horses and will provide them with something to chase on top of the speed. He visually looked a run short first-up, and I expect a peak performance on Saturday over the mile. He is tough, and he will look the winner at the 300m. Hold your breath inside the final furlong!
#3 cascadian
$14.00
Cascadian is a knockout chance. The veteran never runs a bad race, and his record at the track and distance must be respected. He always needs luck with his racing pattern, and the biggest concern is whether he can still match it with the younger brigade. Watch for the big boy late.
#4 mr brightside
$5.50
Next Best
Mr Brightside looks poised to strike. His performances at weight-for-age during this preparation have been rock-solid, and he is ready to explode over the mile. He loves the track and distance and was an impressive winner of the time-honoured Doncaster Handicap this time last year. He looks dangerous from an inside draw and can figure in the finish with even luck.
#5 soi soi bon
$81.00
The Rising 10-year-old would need to rewind the clock and recapture his best form to figure. He is racing consistently, however, a win at this level would shock. His age and current form are the primary concerns.
#6 law of indices
$15.00
Law Of Indices deserves his spot in this race. His form has been consistent at the top level, and he is knocking on the door. He is ready for a career-defining breakthrough that could occur on the biggest stage. He will be thereabouts with the right run in transit at a reasonable price.
#7 aegon
$31.00
Aegon was ok without threatening in the Group 1 Futurity second-up. He usually runs well at our top level. However, his winning record against our elite performers looks thin. An honest run wouldn’t surprise; a win would.
#8 ALENQUER
$16.00
Alenquer can spoil the party for the locals. The former French galloper, now trained by Michael Moroney at Flemington is nominated for some of our most prominent features and time-honoured events. His French Group 1 form reads incredibly well for this race, and his winning record must be respected. I expect the five-year-old stallion to be ultra-competitive first-up for his new stable.
#9 THE INEVITABLE
$21.00
The Inevitable comes to Melbourne after dominating the Tasmanian racing scene. The seven-year-old is ultra-consistent, however, the gelding by Dundeel would need to take the next step to be competitive here. I am not sure he can.
#10 MY OBERON
$26.00
The six-year-old gelding was disappointing first-up in the Group 1 Futurity stakes. His win during the spring at the track and the distance was impressive, however, this looks harder. His previous international form is good for this event, and his career record must be respected. I wonder if he is up to our elite weight-for-age horses.
#11 GENTELMAN ROY
$21.00
Gentleman Roy will inject some speed into the early stages of the race. He was disappointing last start at Flemington after producing two brilliant performances at the beginning of his campaign. If he finds the front unchallenged, he may be hard to run down. His biggest wins have occurred early in his preparations, and I doubt he will have an easy time in front.
#12 POUNDING
$31.00
Pounding has been flying since the spring! He has been winning for fun, and the form around him has stood up during the summer and early stages of the autumn. He will need to make a massive leap of faith here, and I am concerned his campaign has been longer than a Big Bash season.
#13 nugget
$21.00
Nugget has been a revelation since arriving in Australia. He has gone through his grades successfully and has been impressive against some of our best middle-distance performers. He can give a good sight at a reasonable price if the gaps appear on straightening.
#14 keats
$41.00
Keats is an intriguing runner. His form since arriving in Australia has been consistent, and he always runs a good race. He is ready for a breakthrough run, however, he would need to find several lengths on current form.
#15 sheeza belter
$13.00
The three-year-old filly is racing in fine form. Her win in the Group 2 Hot Danish was impressive, and she looks to have plenty of upsides. I am still determining if she is up to this level. However, the 54kg under the weight-for-age scale puts her in the mix.
#16 the fortune teller (emg)
$81.00
The first emergency may need help to get a start. If the three-year-old colt does line up on Saturday, his current form doesn’t read well for this event.
