All Star Mile – 2021

Track: Good-Soft?   Weather: Showers

A field of fifteen runners + four emergencies are set to line up for the third running of the $5,000,000 All Star Mile.  This is the first time the race has been run at Moonee Valley.  This years field looks the strongest yet with ten Group 1 winners set to line up.  There are seven mares (two are emergencies) and one three year-old.  Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig are the only trainers with multiple runners although both of their horses are emergencies so they will be relying on a scratching or two to get a run in the race.

The early favourite is the Western Australian mare Arcadia Queen.  She is a three time Group 1 winner and comes here second up after finishing runner up in the Futurity Stakes.  The winner of the Futurity Stakes was Jamie Edwards’ Probabeel and she is  currently the second favourite.  This Kiwi mare keeps getting better and better and she looks set to run another big race on Saturday.  Russian Camelot is the only horse first up in the race – he has trialed up well.  He ran third in the 2020 Cox Plate at only his eighth start.

Mugatoo draws a perfect barrier and strips fitter after resuming in the Apollo Stakes in Sydney.  Sir Dragonet won last years Cox Plate and is a key player here if you are forgiving of his poor performance first up in the CF Orr Stakes.  Star Of The Seas won the Blamey Stakes last start at Flemington. Behemoth is attempting 1600m for the first time but maps to get a soft run on the fence for Craig Williams and Mr Quickie ran third first up and carries the in form Jamie Kah.  The remaining runners are $20-1 or longer.

1. Sir Dragonet

Won the Cox Plate here last year.  Put in a poor run first up in the CF Orr Stakes but may have had some excuses there.  Has jumped out well in between runs and the step up to 1600m suits.  Whilst this is short of his best distance he looks a big price given his class.

2. Behemoth

Is a two time Group 1 winner.  Unproven at 1600m but maps to get a lovely run in behind the speed here.  He raced in the wrong section of the track last time, so inclined to be forgiving of that.

3. Streets Of Avalon

Won the Group 2 Australia Stakes here in January and then won the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes at his next start.  He is rock hard fit and racing well.

4. Mr Quickie

Put in a nice pipe opener first up when running third in the Futurity at Caulfield.  Likely to be giving them a big start here but is capable of a fast finish.

5. Star Of The Seas

Got the job done in the Blamey Stakes after being heavily backed and did start favourite in the Group 1 Epsom last year.  The rain won’t worry him.

6. Mugatoo

Quality animal who ran fourth in last years Cox Plate.  He resumed with a nice pipe opener in the Apollo in Sydney.  Handles soft ground and Hugh Bowman comes to Melbourne to ride.  A major contender.

7. The Harrovian

Queenslander who had won 7 on the trot prior to a last start defeat at Flemington.  Drawn well but looks out classed here.

8. Regalo Di Gaetano

Fit and racing well in Adelaide.  Would need to produce a big new peak to get anywhere near these.

9. Russian Camelot

Resumes.  Ran a huge race first up in the Makybe Diva last time after being caught wide.  Then bolted in, in the Underwood Stakes.  Went on to start favourite in the Cox Plate and ran a brave third after settling close to a fast speed.  Has jumped out well.  If he produces his best he is right in this.

10. Arcadia Queen

Top quality mare.  She ran a great race first up in the Futurity and will have been set for this.  Drawn to get the run of the race.  She is a leading chance here but won’t want it too wet.

11. Probabeel

Arrogant victory when sitting three wide first up in the Bellmaine Stakes at Group 3 level.  Then stormed down the outside to win the Group 1 Futurity Stakes last start.  Has Damian Lane aboard who is as good as any rider in the big races.  A major contender.

12. Shout The Bar

Won the Group 1 Empire Rose on Derby Day at big odds.  She will head forward here and make her own luck but looks short enough at $21.

13. Greysful Glamour

Another who will head forward and ensure there is some genuine speed in the race but lacks the class to be winning here.

14. Still A Star

Lightly raced winning machine from Tasmania.  Barrier 15 is not ideal.

15. Lunar Fox

Was a surprise winner of the Australian Guinea’s at huge odds last start.  Deserves his spot here but would need to see him do it again before recommending.

16. Fifty Stars

1st Emergency.  Backing up for the second week in a row.  He found himself in a really tricky spot in the Australian Cup but found the line okay.  Not sure that coming back to 1600m works in his favour though.

17. So Si Bon

Backs up after a listed Flemington win last week.  You never know what you are going to get with him.  Doubt he can win but can run in the top 5 or 6.

18. Sovereign Award –  SCRATCHED

Another backing up after winning at Flemington last week.  She has superb track and distance stats and can handle all conditions.

19. Affair To Remember

Looks unlikely to get a run as the fourth emergency.  Won the Matriarch Stakes last prep and then ran second in the Ballarat Cup.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
10. Arcadia Queen	10. Arcadia Queen
9. Russian Camelot	6. Mugatoo
11. Probabeel	9. Russian Camelot
7. The Harrovian	11. Probabeel

Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes 2021 (Moonee Valley 2040m)