NEW STABLEMATES
in the history of the Newmarket has finished in the placings with such a weight. A year later, Greenline retired to a paddock at his birthplace in the Hunter Valley. Many great horses have won the Newmarket: Century and Baguette, Begonia Belle and Royal Gem, Ajax and Aurie’s Star, Wakeful and Malua among them. The immortal Carbine finished third as a three-year- old in 1889. Such history. This year’s Yulong Newmarket Handicap is the 162nd running of the race. By comparison, the other Group 1 feature of today’s Super Saturday, the All-Star Mile, is being run for only the seventh time, and for just the third time at Flemington. This year it has Group 1 status for the first time and it will be a Flemington fixture for the future. The first edition of this innovative race was run here in 2019. The popular Tasmanian filly, Mystic Journey, took home the big prize. Since then it has rotated to Caulfield and Moonee Valley and back here, with Perth horse Regal Power, Mugatoo, Mr Brightside, Zaaki and Pride Of Jenni the winners. The calibre of these horses underlines its appeal. Unlike most races, the All-Star Mile offers a number of entry points into the field of 16. Eight lead-up races in Australia and New Zealand offer direct entry. Top current form counts, and there is a possible wildcard for horses showing exceptional promise. With big prizemoney and public appeal, the All-Star Mile has quickly established itself as a highlight of Melbourne’s autumn. One day we’ll surely overhear a trainer telling her daughter that the race she most wants to win is the All-Star Mile at Flemington. Maybe this year.
FIRST ALL-STAR: Tasmanian filly, Mystic Journey, took out the first edition of the All-Star Mile, fresh off a win in the Australian Guineas. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)
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