A trio of three-year-olds have been selected to take their place in the $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 19.
Hitotsu, Lightsaber, and Pinstriped have been granted wildcards into the event after all coming out of the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) last weekend.
The trio all had merit to their runs in the three-year-old feature and now have a chance to head back to the same track, over the same trip, in a little less than a fortnight.
“Hitotsu was impossible to ignore after his win in the Australian Guineas, and despite not winning Lightsaber and the luckless Pinstriped both enhanced their cases for inclusion, especially when viewed in the light of their previous performances,” said Greg Carpenter, Racing Victoria’s Executive General Manager – Racing.
All three gallopers will carry strong form into a race where three-year-olds have fared well in the short history of the race.
“Three-year-olds boast an outstanding record in the All-Star Mile, with Mystic Journey winning in 2019 and Superstorm going mightily close to upsetting his stablemate Regal Power 12 months later, and I have no doubt these three are all capable of continuing that excellent record at Flemington in just under two weeks’ time,” Carpenter said.
Hitotsu seemed the most obvious choice for a wildcard after becoming the first horse ever to win the Australian Guineas first-up.
The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace training partnership will have to put plans to travel to Sydney on hold to run in the event.
A possible clash with Anamoe was on the cards in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m), but that event is to be run on the same day as the All-Star Mile.
The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at weight-for-age level may now be the Sydney target for the exciting colt.
The Peter Moody-trained Lightsaber was a gutsy runner-up to Hitotsu in the Guineas and is a deserving recipient of the wildcard, especially considering the lead-up he had to deal with.
The son of Zoustar was a solid fourth when resuming behind subsequent Group 1 winner Marabi in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in January. He then struggled to get another solid hit-out before the Guineas.
The Pakenham-trained galloper missed the start hopelessly when finishing well down the track in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. He then attempted to back up a week later in the Group 3 C.S. Hayes Stakes (1400m) but was scratched at the barrier after attendants were unable to load the colt.
Lightsaber’s effort to push Hitotsu right to the line was admirable, and he could now be better for the run heading into the $5 million event.
Enver Jusofovic will get another chance to win a major race over the mile at Flemington after his galloper Pinstriped was badly held up at a critical stage in the straight during his Australian Guineas performance.
The son of Street Boss managed to run home late into fifth place, but he would no doubt have finished closer given a clear passage.
The Cranbourne-trained gelding was previously unbeaten in three runs which included the Group 3 C.S. Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
The addition of the three-year-olds means there are now 13 confirmed starters for the All-Star Mile, with a final field of 15 to be decided.
The additional two runners, as well as emergencies, will be decided on March 15.
2022 All-Star Mile runners
- I’m Thunderstruck (VIC) (Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr)
- Zaaki (NSW) (Annabel Neasham)
- Regalo Di Gaetano (SA) (Richard & Chantelle Jolly)
- Mr Brightside (VIC) (Ben & JD Hayes)
- King Magnus (VIC) (Robbie Griffiths & Matt de Kock)
- Cascadian (NSW) (James Cummings)
- Tofane (VIC) (Mike Moroney)
- Icebath (NSW) (Brad Widdup)
- Sierra Sue (VIC) (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young)
- Inspirational Girl (WA) (Danny O’Brien)
- Hitotsu (VIC) (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)
- Lightsaber (VIC) (Peter Moody)
- Pinstriped (VIC) (Enver Jusufovic)
Emergency replacement for Elephant (NZ) – To be confirmed
Emergency replacement for Lighthouse (VIC) – To be confirmed
More horse racing news
