All-Star Mile has a tweak
RACE conditions for the AllStar Mile, a resounding inaugural success, have undergone significant change including expansion into the international arena.
With 2019 winner Mystic Journey due to resume in Saturday’s Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield — site of next year’s $5 million contest — Racing Victoria has revealed several key changes. They include: NEW Zealand residents will be allowed to vote for their favourite horses to get a start in the race. AN INCREASE in field size to 15 runners, up from 14 this year with 10 runners voted in by the public and up to five wildcard entrants. THE introduction of two “win and you’re in races” — the Futurity and Blamey Stakes. A REDISTRIBUTION of prizemoney for horses finishing outside the top five, with the last five home in 2020 receiving $50,000, down from $90,000 this year. AN INCREASE in the minimum handicap rating from 70 to 80 for horses aged four and older. Three-year-olds will require a rating of 70. THE introduction of a minimum performance criteria, requiring horses at the close of nominations to have either run in the first three in a black-type race or have won $20,000 or more by finishing in the top three of a flat race from February 1, 2019.
Racing Victoria’s Greg Carpenter said it was possible Mystic Journey could attempt to defend her crown on March 14 next year. He also hinted the race could grow even further internationally as it attempts to build remarkable race-day metrics.
Group 1 status was possible, if not a priority.
Flemington’s hosting of the meeting attracted 16,059 spectators — up from 5716 on the corresponding day in 2018 — and generated $65million in turnover, a rise of $12million.
RV fielded almost 140,000 votes. A HORSE rated one of the better older stayers in Ireland has figured in a sale to Australian interests and will be set for a spring Cups campaign.
Prominent syndicator Australian Bloodstock has bought a controlling interest in Mustajeer, a seven-year-old to southern hemisphere time who has been sparingly raced for his age.
Mustajeer has started 18 times for three wins and has been placed in two of his four starts this season after running fourth in last year’s Ebor Handicap at York. At his most recent start, Mustajeer was beaten 3½ lengths into fifth place in the Curragh Cup.
Latrobe, winner of last year’s Irish Derby and runner-up in the Mackinnon Stakes in the Melbourne Cup carnival, finished second in the Group 2 race.
“We have bought him as we feel he is a genuine top-five and winning chance for the Cups,” Australian Bloodstock’s Luke Murrell said.
Australian Bloodstock is no stranger to spring success in Australia. The syndicate confirmed its rise when Protectionist won the Melbourne Cup in 2014.
Japanese-bred horses Tosen Stardom and Brave Smash have added Australian Group 1 trophies to the collection.
The syndicate also owns recent German Group 1 winner Danceteria.