3 minute read
$3.75 million goes on the line at Caulfield on Saturday when a field of twelve steps out in the sixth edition of the All-Star Mile.
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Won by the likes of Mystic Journey and Zaaki during its brief existence, the All-Star Mile was claimed by an impressive Mr Brightside at The Valley in 2023, who has opened a short-priced favourite in betting again this year, in his bid to become the first horse to win the race twice.
Pride Of Jenni, Cascadian and Kiwi miler Desert Lightning are but a few of the names eager to spoil the party, but they will need to be at their very best to topple the outstanding pre-post favourite.
For our full runner-by-runner guide of the 2024 All-Star Mile field, simply scroll down!
2024 All-Star Mile Betting Strategy
► 4 Units Mr Brightside (Win)
► 1 Unit Pinstriped (Each Way)
1 – Mr Brightside (11)
Defending champion who is almost certainly a better horse now than what he was when he reigned supreme at The Valley twelve months ago.
Added the Doncaster Mile, Memsie Stakes and Makybe Diva Stakes to his CV most notably in 2023 after winning the All-Star Mile, while also ran an agonizingly close second in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
Has recorded consecutive wins in Group 1 company leading up to Saturday's defence and is quite clearly the horse to beat again, even from a wider draw.
2 – Cascadian (7)
One of the most intriguing gallopers in the 2024 All-Star Mile field and at his best, could trouble the early favourite.
Has contested the last two editions of the All-Star Mile and finished second, beaten half a length by Mr Brightside last year, while he has stripped fitter for two runs back from a break, including a credible fourth placing in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes last time.
A mile is his pet trip, and he is drawn to receive every chance under Ben Melham.
3 – Attractable (2)
Attractable went to a new level during his spring preparation, culminating in an impressive win in The Big Dance.
Having only beaten one runner home in the Apollo Stakes first-up from a spell, he faces a big rise in class into the 2024 All-Star Mile field and might find a few of these rivals just a little too classy.
4 – Munhamek (10)
Cult hero who delivered champion hoop Damien Oliver an incredible swansong in December's Gold Rush.
Yet to fire in two runs back from a break and well beaten by some of these All-Star Mile rivals on both occasions. Would need to improve by several lengths to fight out the finish this week.
5 – Dom To Shoot (12)
Broke through for a deserved Group 1 victory in December's Northerly Stakes and strips fitter for a fair effort for fourth, beaten three lengths by Mr Brightside in the Futurity Stakes.
Whether or not he has the ability to turn around that big of a gap remains to be seen, but he strips fitter and will relish getting out to a mile.
Will need plenty of luck in running after drawing the outside barrier and has been a drifter in early All-Star Mile betting.
6 – Buffalo River (9)
As tough and as honest as they come, and should give himself every chance of another competitive showing in the All-Star Mile.
Buffalo River has finished third in each of three runs back from a break, all over 1400m here at Caulfield.
We therefore know that he'll love racing here, but there is absolutely no doubt that his pet trip is the 1400m, and getting out to a mile could pose a problem this week.
7 – Pinstriped (1)
Might be the value in 2024 All-Star Mile betting at his current quote ($34 at publish).
Hasn't been seen at the races since November, but absolutely flies fresh (5:2-2-0) and was only denied by Mr Brightside in the PB Lawrence Stakes first-up in spring before recording a memorable victory over a mile in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes.
Regular rider Ben Allen is engaged and has options from the rails draw, and the horse rates as a genuine first three contender.
8 – Desert Lightning (8)
Kiwi raider making his Australian debut and has attracted some early interest in 2024 All-Star Mile betting ($15 at publish).
Has recorded five wins from seventeen starts to date, placing a further six times and finding form around some of New Zealand's best gallopers.
Won the Group 1 TAB Classic at Trentham in December before beating an odds-on Legarto in the Aotearoa Classic on Karaka Millions Day.
His best form is good enough to see him into the finish.
9 – Ayrton (5)
Ayrton has returned to the races in competitive form but faces another rise in class into the All-Star Mile field.
Was too good for his rivals at Listed level back in January and was last seen finishing third behind Atishu in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes.
Was comfortably accounted for by Mr Brightside, Pride Of Jenni and Buffalo River between those two runs, and doesn't look to have the upside to turn the tables on those gallopers.
10 – Puntura (4)
Another Kiwi raider keen to steal Aussie riches, but has opened the rank outsider in All-Star Mile betting ($61 at publish).
Recorded three wins in succession over summer, including the Group 1 Thordon Mile, but was well beaten in the Otaki-Maori Classic at his latest appearance, and would need to return a career-best performance to compete with a few of these.
11 – Holymanz (3)
Holymanz was beaten ten lengths by Desert Lightning in New Zealand back in January, but returned to Australia to finish second, beaten less than a length in the Blamey Stakes.
Improvement from that run is likely and he is drawn to receive a lovely run under Blake Shinn.
The $34 at publish is probably about the right price, but it wouldn't surprise to see him fighting into the first four or five on Saturday afternoon.
12 – Pride Of Jenni (6)
Occupies the second line of All-Star Mile betting ($3.40 at publish).
Pride Of Jenni was the shock star of the Flemington Carnival back in November, winning the Empire Rose Stakes and the Cantala Stakes in consecutive weeks, while she was similarly impressive when second, beaten a nose by Mr Brightside in the CF Orr Stakes when resuming this time.
She strips fitter, will relish getting out to a mile and will bowl along in front, making her own luck again.
