Hartnell next in line for All-Star call-up

Godolphin stalwart Hartnell will gain a start in the inaugural All-Star Mile should one of the 11 runners already named be withdrawn.

Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club on Thursday announced the 10 highest vote getters, headed by South Australian Balf’s Choice, for the $5 million race at Flemington on March 16, along with the first wild card, Happy Clapper.

A further three wild cards will be announced by March 4 with the field and barriers to be finalised on March 12.

The provisional emergencies are ranked in order of prize money earned.

With Happy Clapper the leading earner of the 130 horses originally nominated for the race having received a wild card, Hartnell becomes first provisional emergency.

The list will be updated if a horse is withdrawn, secures one of the three remaining wild cards, or wins additional prize money.

The four highest-ranked provisional emergencies at final acceptance time on March 12 will be declared the official reserves and be included in the barrier draw that day.

* Top Six Provisional Emergencies at February 21 are:

Hartnell (Trainer: James Cummings, $5,538,999)

Almandin (Liam Howley, $5,323,858)

Rekindling (Liam Howley, $4,123,308)

Le Romain (Kris Lees, $3,926,325)

Brave Smash (Kris Lees, $3,410,123)

Redkirk Warrior (David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, $2,781,520)

Hartnell, Le Romain, Brave Smash and Redkirk Warrior all run in Saturday’s Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and if any of the four wins, it would strengthen their claims for a wild card.

Credit: AAP

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