The stupid horses that this concept allows into the race aside, the inaugural running of the $5 million All-Star Mile will draw all eyes to Flemington on Saturday.
Winx cbf, The Autumn Sun saw more value in Group 1 races and a lot of other good horses are dodging, but there is still plenty of talent in the All-Star Mile field and a lucrative first four to be found.
We’ve traced the thousands of form lines that each horse brings into the race and our 2019 All-Star Mile tips can be found below.
I am happy to go on record as saying that Happy Clapper is the second-best horse in the country, and given the best isn’t stepping out, that can only mean that he will be winning. If you’re anything of a racing fan, you really don’t need me to tell you what this horse has achieved at the highest level and over a long period of time. His toughness would be enough to see him salute in this company, but his actual ability means that he will be extremely difficult to beat. Loves the mile like Boony loves a beer.
Ready to peak, third-up at a mile means that Hartnell is overs at double-figure odds. A multiple Group 1 champion in his own right, Hartnell has made a habit of saluting when nothing is expected of him (I’m still spending the Epsom Handicap winnings) and there has been plenty of merit to his two runs this time in, particularly the close-up third in the Futurity last time out. It would not be surprising to see his international jockey steal the win and then immediately bail with the prize money, either.
This horse is a genuine star and certainly wouldn’t look out of place in the All-Star Mile winner’s stall. A two-time Group 1 winner at a mile, Alizee put a lot of crap horses to the sword in the Listed Christmas Classic first-up in December, so she has the right form. Jokes aside, her most-recent wins in the Expressway and Futurity were huge, and she’s rock-hard fit for another big one on Saturday.
I am a huge fan of Mystic Journey and Adam Trinder, see?
Mystic Journey is an absolute star and Adam Trinder is clearly a top bloke 👏👏👏 #AustralianGuineas
— Jared Timms (@JaredTimms) 2 March 2019
I honestly think that she is a serious racehorse and the best is yet to come, but she already has the runs on the board and her win in the Australian Guineas suggested that she is more than capable of winning the All-Star mile. I’d just prefer to see her do it in open company before I put her on top.