WA star shares 2022 All Star Mile favouritism

Western Empire announced himself one of Australia’s most exciting gallopers in Saturday’s Group 1 Railway Stakes and TAB reacted by installing him joint favourite for next year’s $5 million All-Star Mile.

The Grant and Alana Williams-trained gelding shares the $6 top line with Caulfield Guineas winner and Cox Plate runner-up Anamoe, Golden Eagle champ I’m Thunderstruck and last-start Mackinnon Stakes winner Zaaki in TAB’s Pre-Nominations market, which was released this morning.

Chris Waller’s excitement machine Espiona is one of four horses on the $11 second line, alongside Artorius, Behemoth and Probabeel.

“Next year’s All-Star Mile has the potential to be the most exciting edition yet when you consider we’ve got four joint favourites at $6 and another four horses on the second line of betting at $11,” TAB’s Brad Bishop said.

“Those towards the head of the market already have a strong following due to their racetrack deeds so it will be interesting to see who not only gets voted into the race, but how the market is reshaped by the time it is run on March 19.”

The All-Star Mile returns to Flemington next year with nominations being taken from December 6 and those who back a horse who is not nominated will receive their money back.

2022 ALL-STAR MILE

$6          Anamoe, I’m Thunderstruck, Western Empire, Zaaki
$11        Artorius, Behemoth, Espiona, Probabeel
$15        Ayrton, Captivant, Colette, Fangirl, Mo’unga, Mugatoo, Superstorm
$26        Cascadian, Elephant, Hitotsu, Icebath, Mr Brightside, Mystic Journey,
Our Playboy, Private Eye, The Harrovian, Tofane
$51+      Quote others