The fourth edition of The All-Star Mile will be run and won this Saturday at Flemington.
Up to $5 million in prize money will be on the line in the weight-for-age feature, and it is no surprise to find Annabel Neasham’s three-time Group 1 winning galloper Zaaki installed as the favourite atop the markets.
Last-start Blamey Stakes winner Inspirational Girl has also attracted plenty of support ahead of her third run back, while there’s a case to be made for Lightsaber, Pinstriped, and even Ladbrokes’ very own Wildcard Runner, Sierra Sue.
We run the rule over the entire 15-horse field in our 2022 All-Star Mile Preview below.
1. I’m Thunderstruck (1)
- Record: 11-6:0:2
- Track: 1:1-0-0
- Distance: 1:1-0-0
- Trainer: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr
- Jockey: Jye McNeil
- Odds: $6.50
Group 1 Toorak Handicap and Golden Eagle winner from the spring that hasn’t returned the same horse this time in work. Has so far run back-to-back fifth’s in the C.F. Orr and the Futurity Stakes where he had genuine excuses on both occasions. Out to the mile and back to Flemington should help him improve, but tough to know where he winds up from barrier 1. Still capable of running a place but there are a few better.
2. Zaaki (15)
- Record: 31:10-4-6
- Track: 2:1-1-0
- Distance: 10:2-2-2
- Trainer: Annabel Neasham
- Jockey: Ms Jamie Kah
- Odds: $3.40
Three-time Group 1 winner that is well-deserving of his status as favourite. Bolted in late first-up in the Blamey Stakes and just found one better finishing a nose second to Inspirational Girl, who was better off at the weights. He’ll take plenty of improvement away from that start and should appreciate a more genuine tempo here back to weight-for-age. This has been a clear target race for him since the spring and he’s typically done some of his best racing in his second run back. If Jamie Kah can offset the wide gate and find cover off the speed, he’ll be tough to hold out.
3. Cascadian (6)
- Record: 35-7:5:6
- Track: 5:0-2-2
- Distance: 15:3-2-2
- Trainer: James Cummings
- Jockey: Damien Oliver
- Odds: $19.00
On a quick backup after finishing fifth to Duais in last week’s Australian Cup. Struggled a little with the tempo that day over 1200m and should appreciate getting back to his preferred trip now. Won the Doncaster Mile in a fast finish at Randwick and has missed the money only once from five starts at Flemington. Strips fitter for three runs back and was also second to Zaaki in the Mackinnon on the short backup during the spring.
4. Streets Of Avalon (3)
- Record: 65-10:10:10
- Track: 13:1-3-1
- Distance: 9:0-1-0
- Trainer: Shane Nicholls
- Jockey: Zac Spain
- Odds: $91.00
Dual Group 1 winner whose best days might just be behind him now. Won the C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield last autumn but has failed to win a race since. Only plain in two runs back and will need to improve lengths to be a factor here.
5. Lunar Fox (14)
- Record: 12-3:1:0
- Track: 7:2-0-0
- Distance: 7:1-0-0
- Trainer: Paul Preusker
- Jockey: Craig Newitt
- Odds: $81.00
Winner of last year’s Australian Guineas that has failed to run a place in eight starts since. Has finished last and second last in two runs back and is facing a big rise in class here coming out of the Blamey Stakes.
6. King Magnus (5)
- Record: 24-7:6:1
- Track: 7:0-2-0
- Distance: 4:1-0-0
- Trainer: Robbie Griffiths & Matthew de Kock
- Jockey: Lachlan King
- Odds: $81.00
Won the Cranbourne Cup over the mile last November after finishing less-than a length fifth behind Superstorm in the Cantala Stakes. Has been only plain in two runs back though and would need to improve lengths to trouble most of these.
7. Callsign Mav (10)
- Record: 22-7:7:2
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 6:1-2-1
- Trainer: Danny O’Brien
- Jockey: Ben Allen
- Odds: $61.00
Three-time Group 1 winner over in New Zealand. Ran a big race fresh over the mile in the Carlyon Cup at Caulfield but found the tempo a little too hot in the Australian Cup last week. Has plenty of form over this distance but doesn’t look likely.
8. Mr Brightside (2)
- Record: 11-6:1:1
- Track: 4:1-0-1
- Distance: 7:5-0-0
- Trainer: Ben & JD Hayes
- Jockey: Craig Williams
- Odds: $18.00
Has been around the mark in two runs back finishing third in a Stakes race at Flemington first-up and two-lengths fourth behind Inspirational Girl in the Blamey. Held his own over the track and distance for fourth in the Cantala Stakes during the spring and has typically run well on his home track in the past. Won his maiden by five lengths third-up at Geelong last year and has major each-way claims.
9. Icebath (9)
- Record: 28-4:7:4
- Track: 1:0-1-0
- Distance: 5:1-2-0
- Trainer: Brad Widdup
- Jockey: Fred Kersley
- Odds: $21.00
Twice placed at Group 1 level, both over the mile. Finished a narrow second to Cascadian in last year’s Doncaster Mile and second again to Superstorm in the Cantala Stakes. Has struck wet tracks in both runs back in Sydney and might appreciate getting back on top of the ground now. Worth consideration in exotics.
10. Tofane (7)
- Record: 28-8:4:4
- Track: 8:1-0-1
- Distance: 3:0-1-0
- Trainer: Michael Moroney
- Jockey: Jamie Mott
- Odds: $13.00
Four-time Group 1 winner that is again going around at a big price. Led and won the C.F. Orr Stakes first-up by a comfortable margin and chased hard for third behind Sierra Sue in the Futurity last time out. Hasn’t run that well over the mile in the past, but she’s super genuine and a win would not surprise.
11. Sierra Sue (13)
- Record: 22-9:1:0
- Track: 4:1-0-0
- Distance: 5:0-1-0
- Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
- Jockey: John Allen
- Odds: $21.00
Two-time Group 1 winner that might be over the odds. Won the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield last time out by over a length to Mo’unga and Tofane and should be plenty fit now for two runs back. Has mixed her form over the mile in the past but does have the in-form John Allen steering. Looks like she’s wanting further now and is capable of playing a role.
12. Inspirational Girl (4)
- Record: 15-10:2:1
- Track: 1:1-0-0
- Distance: 4:4-0-0
- Trainer: Danny O’Brien
- Jockey: Damian Lane
- Odds: $6.00
Burst clear to win the Blamey Stakes over Zaaki right on the line carrying just 53kg’s. Was far from disgraced the start prior in the C.F. Orr Stakes and also won the Group 1 Railway Stakes at Perth two years ago over the mile. Hasn’t done a ton of racing recently and has plenty of scope for improvement in as she takes on tougher races. Maps to be doing her best work late again and is one of the major chances.
13. Captivant (11)
- Record: 14-2:1:4
- Track: 2:0-0-1
- Distance: 3:1-1-0
- Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden
- Jockey: Patrick Maloney
- Odds: $31.00
Proven over the mile and has raced well without winning this time in work. Ran third to Pinstriped two back in the CS Hayes Stakes and just failed to finish off in the Australian Guineas. Has been nearly a year since he won the Champagne Stakes at Randwick over 1600m, but a drier track should help his cause.
14. Lightsaber (12)
- Record: 12-4:2:0
- Track: 2:1-1-0
- Distance: 2:0-1-0
- Trainer: Peter Moody
- Jockey: Luke Nolen
- Odds: $16.00
Bounced back from missing the start in the C.F. Orr Stakes to run second in the Australian Guineas two weeks ago behind Hitotsu. Has run no worse than fourth in two starts over the mile and was also the winner of the VRC Sires’ Stakes in his fourth run back last autumn. Should appreciate getting back on top of the ground and maps to get a lovely run in behind the speed.
15. Pinstriped (8)
- Record: 4-3:0:0
- Track: 2:1-0-0
- Distance: 1:0-0-0
- Trainer: Enver Jusufovic
- Jockey: Michael Dee
- Odds: $6.00
Saw his undefeated streak come to an end when fifth in the Australian Guineas two weeks ago in a complete forgive run. The son of Street Boss was held up at top of the straight but still managed to clock the fastest final 200m of the race. Win prior in the CS Hayes Stakes was good and there’s no question he’s capable of bouncing back.
