They’ve been voted on, and now the day has finally arrived for The All-Star Mile to be run at Flemington on Saturday.
The richest 1600m race on earth, will no doubt be an exciting affair with many Group 1 winners taking their place in the final field.
The other race we are covering is the Regal Power Handicap over 2000m.
Some of these runners have already shown their hands in the Listed Mornington Cup prelude.
Defibrillate overpowered the field in an impressive first up performance, Desert Icon and Criminal Code filled the placings on that occasion.
The surface at Headquarters is currently rated a Good 4 which should be maintained come race time.
The rail is 8 metres out the entire circuit, so go forward tactics may play a part.
The Map
The Early Favourite
Zaaki ($3) is the favourite and deserves to be as he is a three-time Group 1 winner.
He will strip fitter from his first up run and the mile again looks ideal at this stage of his preparation.
The run he gets in transit from the poor draw will decide if he gets his chance to win the riches.
Best Racing Tips
I am expecting this to be a truly run race and am putting faith in jockey Jye McNeil to do his job by extracting I’m Thunderstruck off the fence at the right time. From a midfield position, if he gets clear air in the straight, he can finish too fast for his rivals.
Pinstriped was climbing over heels and didn’t see daylight until very late in the Australian Guineas. On that run alone, it would not surprise if the 3YR Old makes amends here.
Mackinnon Stakes winner Zaaki has the form on the board and will take a power of beating. He will impose himself on the race at some stage and will be hard to hold out.
Inspirational Girl was a brilliant winner over this course in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes and could easily repeat that.
The Map
The Favourite
Emissary ($3) His first up placing at Group 2 level at Weight For Age behind Cascadian is the reason for his short quote.
It wasn’t a strong Group 2 field on that occasion, so I see him as under the odds against some tough handicappers here.
Best Racing Tips
Secret Blaze chased down Homesman to win the Group 3 JRA Cup at Moonee Valley back in September last year and Defibrillate finished fourth in that race. He looks to box seat again here from the inside alley and should get the favours. The McEvoy trained runner was untouched winning a recent jump and third up should be ready to peak.
Defibrillate finished over the top of them first up and he has a better record second up. He will give this a real shake.
Port Guillaume finished off well out wide behind Defibrillate when first up and could be the big improver from that race.
Desert Icon will be on pace and should give a ton of cheek again.