All-Star Mile contenders
The All-Star Mile, now elevated to Group 1 status, has quickly established itself as a key autumn fixture.
This exciting 1600-metre weight-for-age race offers a $2.5 million prize pool and features a unique selection process, allowing horses to qualify through proven merit, strong recent form, or rising talent.
Since its debut in 2019, when Mystic Journey claimed victory, the race has rotated between Melbourne’s major tracks, producing standout winners like Zaaki, Mr Brightside, and Pride Of Jenni.
Now calling Flemington home for the next three years, the All-Star Mile is rapidly forging its own legacy.
Who will be this year's All-Star?
MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ)
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Mr Brightside has become a fan favourite, consistently shining in top weight-for-age races. This year, he’ll make history as the first horse to contest four consecutive All-Star Miles. He won in 2023 at The Valley, finished second last year, and placed fourth in 2022 at Caulfield. He’s returned to racing in great form as he proved with his last start trademark gutsy win in the Futurity Stakes. He thrives over the Flemington mile, claiming back-to-back Makybe Diva Stakes wins and last year’s VRC Champions Mile.
ANOTHER WIL
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Ciaron Maher has long believed that Another Wil belongs among the elite horses in Australia, and he’s well on his way to proving that. His preparation began with a memorable victory over Mr Brightside in the CF Orr Stakes, securing an automatic spot in the All-Star Mile. Another Wil also boasts a dominant performance at Flemington over 1600m, winning by four-and-a-half lengths in a Benchmark 84 on Howden Australian Guineas Day last year. At his other Flemington run he defeated subsequent G1 winner Jimmysstar in the Linlithgow Stales. He’s certainly an emerging star to watch.
ATISHU (NZ)
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Atishu has a strong affinity for the Flemington circuit, having secured two of her three Group 1 wins at the track: last year’s Empire Rose Stakes and the Champions Stakes the year before. She also boasts a Group 2 victory in the 2024 Blamey Stakes. She resumed from a spell with a nice seventh in the Apollo Stakes. With her proven talent and excellent record at Flemington, she’s certainly a leading contender for the All-Star Mile.
RISE AT DAWN
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He showed potential last winter when he strung together three wins including the final of the Silver Bowl at Flemington. He missed the spring and resumed with a win in The Elms Handicap which stretched his winning sequence to four and made it eight wins from 13 starts. He can take a spot on the speed and he’s meeting every challenge although this is by far his biggest.
TOM KITTEN
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His form last spring in Sydney which was his first as a gelding was excellent including a second in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap behind Ceowulf. He rocketed home for a first-up second to Mr Brightside in the G1 Futurity Stakes after being held up in the straight in a manner which suggested he’s going to be a major player in the All-Star Mile.
