Trainer Mike Moroney and the connections of imported galloper Alenquer have a nervous wait to see whether they make the All-Star Mile field.
The Top 10 vote gathers were announced on Tuesday evening with Alenquer not among them and now connections are banking on gaining a wildcard to run in the $5 million All Star Mile over 1600m at Moonee Valley on March 18.
French-bred Alenquer is yet to race in Australia and Moroney has earmarked the All-Star Mile as the five-year-old’s debut in his new country.
A five-time winner from his 13 starts in Europe, Alenquer has not raced since finishing ninth in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) in October, his second attempt at winning the coveted race.
Among his wins in Europe are the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes (2406m) at the Royal Ascot meeting in 2021 and in the Group 1 Tatt’s Gold Cup (2112m) at The Curragh last May.
Moroney has been gradually building Alenquer up and has given the entire two jump-outs at Flemington to prepare for his Australian debut who is also nominated for the Doncaster Mile and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.
“He’s had two jump-outs and will have a third one, but he’ll also go to Moonee Valley a couple of times for a gallop,” Moroney said.
Alenquer has received an official rating of 114 from Racing Victoria, which places him behind Alligator Blood and I’m Thunderstruck, both on 116, and ahead of Cascasdian (113).
Moroney said with that rating he was hoping Alenquer will gain a start on March 18.
“We think we would be a good chance of getting a wildcard with his rating,” Moroney said.
“We’re banking on that because we didn’t get enough votes.”
The Group 3 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday is the final ‘win-and-you’re in’ race and if Gentleman Roy or Tuvalu is successful, there will be five wildcards for the All-Star Mile.
If another All-Star Mile nomination wins the Blamey, then there will be only four wildcards up for grabs and if one of the Top 10 vote gatherers does not accept, RV will announce an emergency.
Wildcards will be announced by March 7.
