Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice is on track for a potential first-up tilt at the All-Star Mile (1600m), with co-trainer Sheila Laxon confirming the $2.5 million feature is a key early target in the gelding’s upcoming campaign.
The five-year-old made an impressive return to public work at the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday morning, surging home along the inside to defeat Calico Jack by half a length in a 1000-metre trial.
The hitout was his first competitive appearance since his stunning $91 upset with the top online bookmakers in last November’s Melbourne Cup, and Laxon was left encouraged by his condition.
“His options are fairly restricted, so we’re looking at the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m). or the All-Star Mile,” Laxon told RSN927.
“As we saw today, he’s pretty forward, and I’d think probably he’d go first-up into a race like that (All-Star Mile).”
The All-Star Mile, which will be held at Flemington on March 8, has gained official Group 1 status for the first time in 2025.
However, in a significant change, the prize money for the race has been reduced from $3.75 million in 2024 to $2.5 million in 2025.
Knight’s Choice originally forged his reputation as a high-class miler, winning the Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) before his unexpected rise to two-mile glory in the Melbourne Cup.
While his ultimate autumn targets remain flexible, Laxon indicated that conditions would determine his path beyond the All-Star Mile, with the $2.5 million Group 1 Australian Cup and Brisbane’s Q22 (2200m) in June also on the radar.
“It’s going to be in the lap of the gods with the weather,” Laxon said.
“But we’ll prepare him, and I’m sure he’ll put his best foot forward on the day.”
If Knight’s Choice, who is currently a $34 hope , contests the All-Star Mile first-up, he will make history as the first Melbourne Cup winner to feature in the lucrative mile event.
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