Champion trainer Chris Waller is onboard with the All-Star Mile concept following the race being upgrading to Group 1 level.
First run in 2019, the All-Star Mile was initially rotated around the three metropolitan races in Melbourne and was framed around Japan’s Arima Kinen where the public got to vote on their favourite horse.
Tweaks were made in the ensuing years, and Waller sparingly had a horse run in the race.
Gaining Group 1 status for last year’s race, Waller had Atishu contest the All-Star Mile in 2025, and he will have two runner’s line up from the stable in Saturday’s edition at Flemington over 1600m.
“The Group 1 status means a lot to me, more so than the prize money,” Waller said.
“It was a bit confusing in the first few years, but I think they’ve got it right now and hopefully the best horse can win.”
Buckaroo and Leica Lucy will represent Waller on Saturday.
Both gallopers are coming off the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 21 where they finished second and fifth respectively.
“They both ran well first-up at Caulfield, and they came out of the race well,” Waller said.
“It was great to see Buckaroo finishing his race off like he does. It’s exciting and he’s got good form at the mile, and he’s got form around the right horses.”
Buckaroo has been winless since winning the 2024 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield, but as Waller pointed out, he did run second behind Via Sistina in the Turnbull Stakes following his Underwood success.
“He likes Caulfield and he likes Moonee Valley, he almost won a Cox Plate, he’s pretty versatile and he has also run second to Via Sistina at Flemington one day,” Waller said.
“He’s definitely better here in Melbourne.
“Leica Lucy, she finished off well first-up. She got back and came up on, in arguably, the worst part of the track.
“She will come on nicely for the run. She had a couple of Group 1 placings last spring, and she looks like she has come on a bit better.”
Waller said the presence of Pride Of Jenni in Saturday’s race will make for an interesting contest.
“Pride Of Jenni always adds a bit of difference to the race and makes it a tough test, but it’s good to see her back,” Waller said.
