A field of 12 will line up for the sixth running of the $4 million All-Star Mile which will be run at Caulfield for the second time.
The All-Star Mile is rotated between the three Melbourne race clubs with Caulfield staging the race for the second time on Saturday.
Race favourite, Mr Brightside, is aiming for a second win in the race and has drawn barrier 11, while his main danger, in betting, Pride Of Jenni has drawn gate six.
The field size may down on previous years, but Racing Victoria says the average rating for each runner is the highest it has been across its six-year history with only one of the 12 runners rated below 100.
Six Group 1 winners will face the starter, the second lowest in the races’ history, but RV pointed out four winners at the highest level and all potential runners – Alligator Blood, Attrition, Duais and Aegon – had all succumbed to injury or setback.
Matt Welsh, Racing Victoria’s Executive General Manager – Racing, said there should be plenty of fireworks with Pride Of Jenni in the race.
“Can Mr Brightside run her down, will Cascadian storm home and go one better than 2023, will the Kiwi Group 1 winners in Desert Lightning and Puntura upstage the locals,” Welsh queried.
“Or will there be a fairytale result?
“This year’s All-Star Mile has already sparked plenty of discussion and now it’s time debate who will win the race.
“We think the All-Star Mile will be an enthralling spectacle with the dynamic of the field assembled.
“The best races are those when we have a genuine tempo and that is assured at Caulfield on Saturday.”
Pinstriped, who will be first-up into the All-Star Mile, has drawn barrier one while Perth visitor Dom To Shoot has drawn widest in gate 12.
Last year’s runner-up Cascadian drew barrier seven while New Zealand visitors Puntara and Desert Lighting have drawn four and eight respectively.