The All Star Mile’s fall to a 7 starter field!
Big prizepool? ✅
Group 1 status? ✅
So where are the milers?
The 2024 All-Star Mile had a full field of 12, but this year, the numbers have dropped to just seven.
For a $2.5M Group 1 race with a field limit of 16, it’s a disappointment for punters—no third dividend for place and each-way bets.
So, why are the numbers so low?
- Scheduling issues – Two ‘win and you’re in’ races were held just a week before the ASM, making it tough for horses to back up.
- Deeper problems – The race struggles to attract genuine milers, with many opting for other targets.
Here’s a list of horses that were in TAB’s All-Star Mile market last month but won’t be running at Flemington on Saturday.
Horses Missing from the 2025 All-Star Mile
📌 VIA SISTINA ($5) – Never a real chance of leaving Sydney. Odds were poison.
📌 FANGIRL ($5) – Always unlikely. Waller sticks to a set routine, and Fangirl hasn’t raced in Melbourne in her last three autumn preps.
📌 I WISH I WIN ($11) – Trainer opted for the G1 George Ryder (1500m) in Sydney instead.
📌 PRIDE OF JENNI ($15) – Defending champ wasn’t ready in time after only just returning to the jumpouts. Aiming for the G1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m) at Randwick on April 12.
📌 ANGEL CAPITAL ($15) – Scratched from the G1 Australian Guineas (1600m), but the one-week turnaround made this an unlikely target anyway.
📌 SAVAGLEE ($15) – 2nd in the Australian Guineas but backing up against older stars was too tough. Another 3YO, Evaporate, has gone to New Zealand instead.
📌 STEPARTY ($15) – Pulled up lame after the Blamey Stakes (1600m) last Saturday. Blamey winner Marble Arch also chose not to back up here.
📌 ATTRITION ($26) – Ran 2nd in the Blamey but was never backing up. Will step up to 2000m next in the G1 Australian Cup.
📌 PERICLES ($26) / PINSTRIPED ($26) – Pericles heads to the G1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m), while Pinstriped is spelling after a disappointing Futurity run.
📌 KNIGHT’S CHOICE ($51) – Wildcard entry but ruled out due to injury.
The All-Star Mile needs a rethink. With just seven runners and a host of big names choosing different paths, it’s clear the concept isn’t working as planned.
FLEMINGTON
Ten races will be run and won at Flemington this Saturday, there are two group races now on the card including the All Star Mile and the Newmarket
Weather is fine, track is good (4) and the rail is out five metres for the entire circuit, and there doesn’t seem to be much inclement weather down for Melbourne.
Race 7 – The All-Star Mile (1600m)
Best to Back: 1. Mr Brightside ($2.45)
Mr Brightside is the reigning king of the Flemington mile and thrives under these conditions. He just held on in the Futurity Stakes last start, getting a positive ride from Craig Williams and showing his usual toughness late. With a strong record at Flemington (four wins), the rise in trip to a mile suits perfectly. If he gets a genuine tempo to chase, he’s going to be incredibly hard to beat.
Best Value: 7. Atishu ($10.00)
Atishu resumes over the mile after an even first-up effort in the Apollo Stakes. She was doing her best work late there and now gets up to her preferred distance. The wide-open expanses of Flemington will give her every chance to finish hard. While she’s probably looking for further with the Australian Cup on the radar, she’s a strong performer at this trip and represents value for exotics players.
Race Breakdown & Key Insights for Punters
- Tempo: Rise At Dawn (6) looks the likely leader, with Flying Trapeze (5) also pushing forward. Expect Another Wil (4) to camp right behind them, while Mr Brightside (1) should land in a stalking position.
- The Big Duel: Another Wil got the better of Mr Brightside in the C.F. Orr, but Brightside turned the tables in the Futurity. Expect these two to lock horns again.
- Blouser Alert: Tom Kitten (2) hit the line hard in the Futurity and will appreciate the mile. If the speed is on, watch for him late.
💰 Suggested Bet: Mr Brightside to win. Quinella 1 & 4 (Mr Brightside & Another Wil).
Race 9 – The Newmarket Handicap (1200m)
Best to Back: 14. Espionage ($14.00)
Espionage is a well-weighted three-year-old who ran a huge race in the Oakleigh Plate. Despite being caught wide for most of the trip, he kept surging to the line and was far from disgraced. Down in the weights here, he gets a far better set-up. With strong jumpouts down the straight, this looks an ideal target, and at double-figure odds, he represents great value.
Best Value: 8. Ostraka ($20.00)
Ostraka never had a winning hope in the Oakleigh Plate after being dragged back to last from a wide draw. Expecting a more positive ride down the straight, where he should get the space to launch late. He’s an exciting type and can give this a real shake.
Race Breakdown & Key Insights for Punters
- Tempo: With plenty of speed engaged, expect Espionage (14) to be right on the pace, while Growing Empire (7) and Rey Magnerio (6) won’t be too far away.
- Proven Performers: Jolietstar (5) and Growing Empire (7) have excellent second-up records and should be peaking at the right time.
- The X-Factor: Ostraka (8) had no luck last start but gets a much better set-up here.
💰 Suggested Bet: Espionage and Ostraka each-way
RANDWICK
Group 1 racing is at Randwick this Saturday, with the Randwick Guineas (1600m) and Canterbury Stakes (1300m) highlighting a massive ten event card.
Weather is unclear with a bit of rain expected, track is soft (5) and the rail is out three metres for the entire circuit.
Race 7 – Randwick Guineas (1600m)
Best to Back: 2. Swiftfalcon ($4.40)
Swiftfalcon was electric late in the Hobartville Stakes when charging home for second behind Broadsiding. The step up to 1600m is a big tick, and if he can settle closer in the run, he will be hard to hold out. Has the potential to be even better than Broadsiding, and with natural improvement, this could be his moment to turn the tables.
Best Value: 4. China Sea ($81.00)
China Sea might not be at his absolute best just yet, but he’ll appreciate the rise to the mile, and with bigger targets ahead, he could surprise by running into the placings at massive odds.
Race Breakdown & Key Insights for Punters
- Tempo: Expecting Broadsiding (1) to find a good spot just off the speed, while Linebacker (3) and China Sea (4) push forward. Swiftfalcon (2) will likely be more positive than last start but still settle midfield.
- Proven Performers: Broadsiding (1) is the class runner and hard to beat, but his odds look a little too short given the strength of Swiftfalcon’s late burst last time.
- The X-Factor: Aeliana (9) is still on the up and could surprise with the right run.
💰 Suggested Bet: Swiftfalcon win. Place bet on China Sea.
Race 8 – Canterbury Stakes (1300m)
Best to Back: 10. Magic Time ($4.50)
Magic Time is a high-class mare who resumed with a brilliant win in the Expressway Stakes. She has a lethal turn of foot, handles wet conditions well, and has been set for this race. Expect her to sit just off the speed and charge home late.
Best Value: 6. Royal Patronage ($15.00)
Royal Patronage is first-up and has trialled very well in preparation for this return. He was thrown into the deep end in the Cox Plate last campaign but freshened up, and with natural improvement, he can be in the finish.
Race Breakdown & Key Insights for Punters
- Tempo: Here To Shock (2) should roll forward and lead, with Switzerland (12) and Airman (3) handy. Magic Time (10) will stalk while Ceolwulf (1) is expected to settle further back.
- Proven Performers: Switzerland (12) had excuses first-up in the Black Caviar Lightning and is unbeaten second-up. Magic Time (10) is a proven track specialist.
- The X-Factor: Stefi Magnetica (11) has been flying at the trials and could surprise fresh.
💰 Suggested Bet: Magic Time to win. Value play on Royal Patronage each-way.
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