All-Star Mile start big carrot in Futurity

SATURDAY’S Futurity Stakes (1400m) has always been a big race to win, but now there’s likely to be a bigger carrot for the winner — a spot in The All-Star Mile.

Racing Victoria’s executive general manager of racing Greg Carpenter said this Futurity would be one of the strongest editions of the race.

“The strength is a byproduct of The All-Star Mile, with the likes of Alizee, Le Romain, Brave Smash and Redkirk Warrior just some of the horses which will contest the race,” Carpenter said.

“Right from the start, we’ve said the key lead-in races [for the All-Star Mile] are the Futurity Stakes and the Australian Guineas and, almost certainly, the winners of those two races if they’re not in the field will get a wildcard.”

Trainer David Hayes needs Redkirk Warrior to run well to even contemplate running in the All-Star Mile.

“I’ve been training him as a miler and I think he’s ready to run well,” Hayes said.

“In two runs this time in, Redkirk Warrior has settled well back and has run on for fifth in the Australia Stakes [1200m] at The Valley and seventh in the Orr Stakes [1400m] at Caulfield.

“He’ll run in a more forward position and put his hand up I think as an All-Star Mile horse.”

Kris Lees said he was in a similar position with Le Romain who he was also trying to get into the All-Star Mile.

“If he can run first or second, I would think that could get him one,” Lees said.