3 minute read

Australian Guineas heroine Mystic Journey, multiple Group 1 winner Hartnell and rising star Hawkshot have been selected as the last three wildcards to complete the field for the $5 milion All-Star Mile at Flemington on Saturday week.

Racing Victoria’s general manager of racing Greg Carpenter made the announcement after considering race performances over the last two weeks.

Carpenter said Mystic Journey had made a compelling case for inclusion with her maiden G1 win at Flemington on Saturday when the Tasmanian-trained three-year-old filly took her career earnings past the $1 million mark from just 12 starts.

“There has been a healthy debate in recent weeks over who should receive the last three All-Star Mile wildcards, and it was impossible to overlook the performance of Mystic Journey in the Australian Guineas,” Carpenter said.

“Adam Trinder’s stable star is arguably Australia’s most exciting filly, and it is very pleasing to see the state of Tasmania join Queensland, South Australia, NSW, Western Australia and Victoria with a representative in the final field.”

Godolphin star Hartnell, a proven big race performer who has won four G1 races including this season’s Epsom Handicap over a mile in track record time, wil join stablemate Alizee in the Al-Star Mile field.

The eight-year-old, trained by James Cummings, showed he had lost none of his zest for racing with a strong finishing third in the G1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last month.

Carpenter said that with career prizemoney of more than $5.5 million and a current international rating of 121, the All-Star Mile wildcard panel felt that Hartnell fully warranted a place in the field.

“Hartnell’s list of achievements since arriving in Australia – including setting a track record when winning the 2018 Epsom Handicap at Randwick – are outstanding,” Carpenter said.

The final wildcard went to Hawkshot, who ran an impressive second to Mystic Journey in the Australian Guineas after a dominant win in the G2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Hawkshot was not amongst the 130 nominations received for The All-Star Mile but, under the terms and conditions of the race, the panel is entitled to select a wildcard runner from outside the original list of nominees.

“The decision on who should receive the final wildcard was more difficult, with several contenders presenting their case over recent weekends, but ultimately the panel felt that Hawkshot was the worthiest recipient,” Carpenter said.

“With his Lindsay Park stablemate Amphitrite already voted into the field, the first three runners home in the Australian Guineas will now contest the race and represent the next generation of equine stars.

“We now have a perfect blend of established topliners, emerging stars and a unique array of fan-voted horses that add to what will be an intriguing contest.”

Pat Webster’s stable star Happy Clapper was awarded the first wildcard entry 11 days ago.

The four wildcards join the top 10 vote-getters in the field for The All-Star Mile.

All-Star Mile – Selected Field

1. Happy Clapper (Pat Webster, NSW)

2. Hartnell (James Cummings, NSW)

3. Material Man (Justin Warwick, WA)

4. Grunt (Mick Price, VIC)

5. Moss ‘n’ Dale (Peter Gelagotis, VIC)

6. Foundry (Terry Kelly, VIC)

7. Man of His Word (Dean Krongold, VIC)

8. Balf’s Choice (Ryan Balfour, SA)

9. Mr Money Bags (Robbie Griffiths, VIC)

10. Urban Ruler (Chris Munce, QLD)

11. Alizee (James Cummings, NSW)

12. Hawkshot (Lindsay Park, VIC)

13. Mystic Journey (Adam Trinder, TAS)

14. Amphitrite (Lindsay Park, VIC)