All-Star Mile upgraded to Group 1, prizemoney reduced

Image: Pat Scala

The first running of the All-Star Mile at Group 1 level will form part of the Super Saturday meeting at Flemington

The All-Star Mile (1600m) will join Flemington’s feature sprint, the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 8 and run three weeks prior to the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m).

Racing Victoria on Tuesday released the race conditions for the All-Star Mile which was granted Group 1 status by international authorities in September.

The race returns to Flemington for the third time with Mystic Journey winning the inaugural edition while Zaaki was successful at the track in 2022.

The All-Star Mile will be restricted to 16 runners with three avenues of gaining a start in the race.

A $500 entry fee will be required by February 11 with a $1000 late entry fee required by February 14, after which an Order of Entry will be established.

There will be five ‘Win and You’re In’ races – the C F Orr Stakes (1400m) on February 8, the Elms Stakes (1400m) on February 15, the Futurity Stakes (1400m) on February 22 along with the Blamey Stakes (1600m) and the Australian Guineas (1600m) on March 1.

If the winner of one of the ‘Win and You’re In’ races was not an original entry, then a $500 late nomination fee can be paid by March 3.

Prior to final acceptance on March 5, a joint VRC and RV panel will have the discretion to offer ‘Wildcards’ into the All-Star Mile which will be considered for emerging talent or for horses based outside of Victoria.

Paul Bloodworth, RV’s Head of Racing, said he was excited to see the All-Star Mile at Flemington on Super Saturday where it will remain Victoria’s premier mile race of the autumn.

“In the two years that the All-Star Mile has preceded the Australian Cup it has delivered the quinella in 2024 and first and third placegetters in 2023,” Bloodworth said.

“Throughout the All-Star Mile’s existence, trainers have consistently told us that they want more certainty to plan their horse’s campaign.

“With the race’s elevation to Group 1 status, the conditions seek to provide greater certainty for connections to target the race.”