Grunt in line for place in All-Star
Flemington track specialist is now ready for big race
MICK Price has declared leading All-Star Mile contender Grunt on track for the world’s richest mile race after the Flemington track specialist cruised through a 990m trial at Cranbourne.
“Perfect” was how Price described Grunt’s third behind Malaguerra and Travimyfriend as the dual Group 1 winner edged closer to resuming in the Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on March 2.
When voting was blacked out for the All-Star Mile on Friday, Grunt was seemingly safe in the 14-horse field with 6275 votes, sitting third behind The Autumn Sun (9157) and Urban Ruler (8321).
Voting for the top-10 continued until noon yesterday but the final results won’t be revealed until Thursday.
As winner of the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes and the Group 1 Australian Guineas, both over 1600m at Headquarters, Grunt has the necessary attributes to be considered for one of four wildcards even if he slipped out of the top 10.
Sidelined since finishing last behind Winx in last October’s Turnbull Stakes, Grunt delighted Price.
“He did everything I wanted to see,’’ Price said of Grunt’s trial. “Another 100 yards he probably sticks his head out and wins.
“He’s going great. His attitude is good and the horse is good.’’
Racing Victoria has not disclosed how many votes were lodged when voting closed, but there had already been 100,000 received last week.
RV is hopeful Winx’s connections will consider a wildcard but it seems unlikely the world’s best horse will return to Melbourne.
Chris Waller and the mare’s owners will almost certainly stick to plans to contest the Chipping Norton and George Ryder before farewelling the four-time Cox Plate winner in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in April.