$5 million goes on the line at The Valley on Saturday when another eclectic yet talent-rich field contests the 2021 All-Star Mile.
In just two previous years of existence, the All-Star Mile has already managed to grind out a position as one of the Autumn Carnival’s most highly anticipated races, and we’ll be treated to another spectacle this year as some of the best horses from Australia and abroad seek their share in the tidy purse.
You can find my 2021 All-Star Mile tips below.
Suggested Bets
- 2 Units E/W #1 Sir Dragonet
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
He was flat when first-up in the Neds CF Orr Stakes, but I’m anticipating big improvement from the Cox Plate winner on All-Star Mile day.
Sir Dragonet was outstanding in the UK and Ireland during the early stages of his career and found form around some of the world’s best horses, finishing second behind Magical in the Group 1 Gold Cup at The Curragh last July, most notably.
Getting out in trip and returning to The Valley are both big ticks for him and at around the $18 mark, he looks over the odds.
The enigma personified hasn’t been seen since finishing eighth in the Melbourne Cup, but Russian Camelot flies fresh and shapes as a winning chance in the All-Star Mile.
The Camelot entire was far too good for his rivals in the South Australian Derby last May, and he returned to the races in spring for a close-up second behind one of the country’s best milers, Fierce Impact, in the Makybe Diva Stakes.
He followed up that performance with another top-line win in the Underwood Stakes and placed in both the Neds Stakes and the Cox Plate.
He is a very good horse and while it sounds cliché, he’ll be in the finish if he ‘turns up’ on Saturday.
He loves a mile; he has raced well at The Valley, and I think that Mr Quickie is another one who can run a bold race in the All-Star Mile 2021.
The Shamus Award gelding won the Group 1 Queensland Derby at the conclusion of his three-year-old prep, and while it took him well over a year to win again, it was worth the wait when he powered home to take out the Toorak Handicap last spring.
He ran home well to fill the minors behind Probabeel in the Futurity Stakes when resuming and is another that I’m confident will enjoy big improvement into the All-Star Mile.
**Update: Arcadia Queen has been scratched from the All-Star Mile
Another very good horse and clearly one of the classiest in the All-Star Mile field, I’m just not sold on Arcadia Queen handling The Valley as well as a couple of these rivals.
The Pierro mare is a multiple Group 1 winner and found form around our best during the spring; taking out the Neds Stakes most notably and returning plenty of other quality performances.
She’ll have the benefit of last year’s winner, Willie Pike, in the saddle once again on Saturday and she is drawn to receive a lovely run in transit.