Converge has a start in the All-Star Mile if connections want it with Racing Victoria announcing on Sunday that the dual Group 1 winner was its preferred replacement runner for the injured Elephant.
Co-trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne revealed on Sunday that Elephant was suffering from a bone chip injury and would not be fit to take his place in the $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 19.
After Tofane an Icebath had earlier been announced as replacement runners for Chris Waller-trained pair Verry Elleegant and Espiona, Converge was left at the top of the provisional emergency list following his win in Saturday’s Group 1 Randwick Guineas.
Co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott has told Racing Victoria that they will discuss the invitation with Converge’s ownership group and advise by Monday whether the son of Frankel will take his place in the All-Star Mile.
“It would be an honour to have a horse in a race such as that,” Bott told RSN927.
“We’ll sit down with connections to discuss that through with them to see which path they want to take.
“Being a gelding, they can just target the races they want to enjoy racing in and the prizemoney on offer there is always hard to ignore.”
An Australian Derby (2400m) campaign, which would most likely include a start in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on the same day as the All-Star Mile, or a tilt at the Doncaster Mile (1600m) are other options for Converge according to Bott.
“There are so many options open for him and I think he could be so effective whichever way we decide to go,” Bott said.
Converge, who also won the Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m) in Brisbane as a two-year-old, is TAB’s $6 favourite for the Doncaster Mile and is $8 second elect in Australian Derby betting.
