Racing Feature: All-Star Mile
The All-Star Mile is a unique race in Australia where the public gets to vote for 10 of the 15 horses that will take part in the event, while the remaining four horses are selected by Racing Victoria. The event, which rotates between three different racecourses, was first held in 2019 and has already become a major attraction for racing fans across the country.
In 2023, the All-Star Mile will take place at The Valley racecourse, and fans can expect another exciting race as the top horses from around the country compete for the $5 million prize pool. The field includes favourites like Alligator Blood, Mr Brightside, and I’m Thunderstruck, as well as roughies like Alenquer and Nugget.
The race promises to be a hotly contested affair, with a strong pace expected from the start. All eyes will be on Alligator Blood, the two-time Group 1 winner over the mile, who will be looking to prove his dominance once again. Mr Brightside, who has won seven out of 11 races over 1600m, is another strong contender, while I’m Thunderstruck will be hoping to turn around his recent form.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the horses running in the All-Star Mile.
Alligator Blood, who is one of the top picks for the race, is a two-time Group 1 winner over the mile. He generally improves in his second-up races and is coming off a strong first-up win, making him a formidable opponent.
Mr Brightside is another top pick for the race, having won seven out of his 11 races over 1600m. He has drawn perfectly in barrier two and is expected to be a lot closer to the front at the 400m mark than he was in the Cox Plate. However, he has been beaten by Alligator Blood several times in recent races, which may be a concern for some.
I’m Thunderstruck needs another win but may find it challenging to beat his rivals in this race. Although he has drawn ideally, he was not good enough to beat Alligator Blood in the G1 Futurity and will need to improve significantly to take out the All-Star Mile.
Other horses to watch include Alenquer and Nugget, who are roughies but could be worth considering for exotics. Alenquer has obvious class, but he will likely benefit from the hit-out, while Nugget maps for an economical run on the fence from barrier 13.
Meanwhile, Gentleman Roy and Cascadian, two of the horses expected to run in the race, were found to be lame in pre-race veterinary inspections. They will be re-evaluated on Friday to determine their suitability to contest the All-Star Mile. Tasmanian raider The Inevitable will also be examined on Thursday afternoon.
With so much at stake and a strong field of horses, the All-Star Mile promises to be an exciting and highly competitive race. Fans won’t want to miss it.
The winner of the race will not only take home a significant share of the prize pool but will also earn the adulation of racing fans across the country. So, don’t miss out on the excitement and tune in to the All-Star Mile at The Valley racecourse.
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