Nominations for Australia’s only fan-voted race open on December 2 with next year’s The All-Star Mile to be run for the first time in 2021 at The Valley.
To be run on March 21, The All-Star Mile remains the world’s richest 1600 metre contest with Racing Victoria confirming it will again carry a $5 million purse.
After interstate raiders won the first two editions, with Western Australian Regal Power (Pierro) following Tasmania’s inaugural winner Mystic Journey (Needs Further), connections from across Australia and New Zealand are again expected to stake a claim for the $2.25 million first prize.
From December 2 until January 11, horses meeting the qualifying criteria can throw their hat into the ring with each $500 nomination fee to again be donated to the Good Friday Appeal.
More than $100,000 has been raised for the Good Friday Appeal, which supports Melbourne’s renowned Royal Children’s Hospital, from entry fees across the first two All-Star Miles.
Adam Trinder and Anthony Darmanin with The All-Star Mile trophy won by Mystic Journey in its inaugural year
The nominated horses rely on the general public to get them into the race with the top 10 vote-getters, to be unveiled by Racing Victoria on or before Friday, February 19, 2021, guaranteed a start alongside five wildcard runners, determined by two ‘win and you’re in races’ and The All-Star Mile wildcard panel.
“Since its inception in 2019, The All-Star Mile has provided a unique and entertaining way to engage racing fans and the wider community, while delivering plenty of great storylines,” Greg Carpenter, RV’s Executive General Manager – Racing said.
“The original All-Star Mile captured the attention of Australia’s sporting public with more than 140,000 people voting for their favourite horse to run in the world’s richest mile race.
“More than 140,000 people voting for their favourite horse to run in the world’s richest mile race.” – Greg Carpenter
“We had a fairytale finish to that year’s race at Flemington, with Adam Trinder’s flying filly Mystic Journey, who cost just $11,000, taking her earnings past the $3 million mark with an outstanding performance.
“The second running at Caulfield in March this year, which was shaped by votes from Australia and New Zealand, was a very different experience, with no spectators allowed on track due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the day was still illuminated by the victory of Regal Power under a masterful ride by Willie Pike.
“We expect both Mystic Journey and Regal Power will prove popular with voters if they are nominated again this time, whilst we expect to see some of the stars of the spring, along with some left field entries, put their claims for The All-Star Mile 2021 in the hands of the voting public.
“One of the great things about The All-Star Mile is that it attracts horses from right across Australia and New Zealand so we’re again encouraging all owners and trainers with eligible horses to nominate their All-Star and, in the process, raise money for a very worthy cause in the Good Friday Appeal.”
After a series of adjustments between years one and two, Carpenter confirmed that the race conditions will remain unchanged from the 2020 edition, which saw 10 Group 1 winners take their place in the final field of 15.
