The All-Star Mile preview and tips: Saturday, March 16
The All-Star Mile (1600m) is finally here after many weeks of voting, spruiking and a fair amount of controversy.
The $5 million event will see 14 horses face the starter - 10 of which were voted in by the public, with the remaining four runners selected as 'wildcards' by Racing Victoria.
Flemington is likely to be rated a Good 4, and the rail will be out 7m.
Speed map, preview, tips and betting strategy below...
READ: Full preview and tips for All-Star Mile day at Flemington
SPEED MAP
Hawkshot looks the obvious leader, with Moss 'n' Dale likely to settle in the first few. Hartnell should lob in behind the frontrunner for a nice trail. You would think Blake Shinn on Happy Clapper will be looking to slot in one-off the fence just in behind the leading brigade. Grunt has a bit of a tricky gate but he should find a position in the first half of the field. The wide barrier looks a positive for Alizee, who may even end up on the back of Mystic Journey if Darmanin rolls forward from out wide to look for a midfield position.
*All emergency runners have been set at the back of the field but if Le Romain sneaks into the field, he will more than likely land in the first four from the inside peg.
PREVIEW
Alizee (11) has won her past four starts, with two of those at Group One level. The Godolphin mare was superb winning the G1 Coolmore Legacy Stakes (1600m) last campaign, booming home in 22.16 seconds for her final 400m to win with a leg in the air. Following a lengthy break, she recorded back-to-back wins at 1200m - giving Le Romain, Trapeze Artist and Hartnell windburn in the G2 Expressway Stakes (1200m). She had to display plenty of toughness in the G1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) last start, with Bowman riding her very confidently three-wide without cover for the trip. Despite a couple of anxious moments in the straight, she was strong when it counted and looks perfectly suited stepping up to the mile fourth-up.
Mystic Journey (13) just keeps on stepping up to the mark, with her overall record now standing at 9 wins from just 12 outings. The Tasmanian filly was outstanding in the G1 Australian Guineas over this route last start, settling just off the leaders before powering away in the straight to score by 2.25L. It's hard to see how Hawkshot or Amphitrite could possibly turn the tables on her here given the dominance of that victory. The little query is the awkward barrier. Will Darmanin roll forward early in an attempt to slot in around midfield, or will he snag right back for cover?
Grand old campaigner Hartnell (2) won the G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) in a brilliant 1:32.73 last spring before finishing 2nd in the G1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). The Godolphin gelding has had 13 starts at 1600m for eight top-two finishes, with the vast majority of those at G1/G2 level. His two runs back from a break have been sound, although he'll need to improve to turn the tables on Alizee, and improvement as an 8YO is not always easy to come by. He should however get every possible chance from barrier two.
Happy Clapper (1) made the mighty mare Winx dig deep to beat him last start, with Blake Shinn turning the G1 Chipping Norton (1600m) into a real survival of the fittest. It looked a genuine gutbuster, and the early/middle sectionals backed up the vision, but trainer Patrick Webster is adamant the veteran gelding has come through the March 2 contest in good order. You can't question this horse's record at 1600m, but he does generally produce his best runs going the Sydney way, with just one minor placing from six starts in Melbourne.
The top four look to have a bit on the rest, but an improved showing from Grunt (4) wouldn't come as a total shock. He was incredibly average first-up at Group Three level but perhaps he just needed the hit-out with 61.5kg on his back. He's had three starts over the Flemington mile for three wins, including a dominant victory in last year's G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
VERDICT
Pretty confident gun Godolphin mare Alizee (11) and rising star Mystic Journey (13) will fight this out. The latter was simply brilliant winning the G1 Australian Guineas (1600m) last start, while Alizee looks trained to the minute for this following a gutsy victory in the G1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) when covering additional ground without cover. Veterans Hartnell (2) and Happy Clapper (1) are proven at this level (WFA mile), while Grunt (4) at least has to be considered on the strength of his record at this track/distance (3:3-0-0).
1. Alizee (11)
2. Mystic Journey (13)
3. Hartnell (2)
4. Happy Clapper (1)
Best roughie: Grunt (4)
$100 BETTING STRATEGY
Alizee (11) the main play but don't want to lose if Mystic Journey (13) wins, so having a $30 saver on the Tassie star to at least cover the total race outlay.
$70 on Alizee (11) @ $3.80
$30 on Mystic Journey (13) @ $3.80
Flemington Race 8
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ALL-STAR MILE (1600m)
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4 | 4.2 | 4 | 4 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4 | 4 | |||||||
12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14.5 | 16 | 14 | 13 | |||||||
71 | 67 | 67 | 61 | 85 | 100 | 61 | 61 | |||||||
13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16.5 | 18 | 14 | 15 | |||||||
81 | 81 | 151 | 91 | 220 | 320 | 81 | 81 | |||||||
251 | 301 | 801 | 301 | 570 | 770 | 301 | 401 | |||||||
251 | 301 | 801 | 301 | 540 | 1000 | 301 | 301 | |||||||
151 | 151 | 301 | 151 | 350 | 550 | 151 | 151 | |||||||
251 | 301 | 601 | 301 | 500 | 1000 | 301 | 301 | |||||||
4.4 | 4.2 | 4 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.2 | |||||||
12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15.5 | 17 | 13 | 13 | |||||||
3.9 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 4 | 3.6 | 3.6 | |||||||
14 | 10 | 15 | 12 | 16.5 | 18 | 12 | 13 | |||||||
19 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 19 | |||||||
Market percentage
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115 | 117 | 114 | 116 | 107 | 99 | 117 | 116 | ||||||
Quick Bet
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