Our exclusive 2025 All-Star Mile Day preview focuses on the elite racing action at Flemington on Saturday, and Melbourne Autumn Carnival programs don’t get much bigger than the line-up at Headquarters!
The All-Star Mile is back for what is sure to be another memorable edition, as the likes of Mr Brightside, Tom Kitten and Another Wil chase further success at the highest level.
If that wasn’t enough, the time-honoured Newmarket Handicap, won by some of the best sprinters ever to grace the world’s turf, has drawn another outstanding field.
You can find my Flemington best bets and complete All-Star Mile Day tips below.
Race 1 - 12:55pm AEDT
Cirka Plate (1100m)
South Australian raider Mesrour is third-up and primed to strike on All-Star Mile Day.
Mesrour returned to action at Morphettville last month, finishing a half length behind Steel Tsunami, while he was only denied by Mystic Reign at The Valley last time out.
Fitter third-up, something like this looks within his abilities.
1 Unit Mesrour
Race 2 - 12:35pm AEDT
Group 3 Darley Ottawa Stakes (1000m)
Gin Spirit takes winning form into this contest, and the Ottawa Stakes looks another lovely black type target for her.
The Spirit Of Boom filly has made three appearances at the races so far, winning twice and hitting the line for an impressive victory in the Listed Cinderella Stakes down at Morphettville last time.
She has an experience and fitness edge over most of these rivals and it looks the next logical step for her to take.
2 Units Gin Spirit
Race 3 - 1:10pm AEDT
Vale Michael Moroney (1100m)
Open race with plenty of winning chances engaged, but I am going to have something on the undefeated and resuming Mytemptation.
Mytemptation hasn’t been seen at the races since December, but she was excellent through her debut prep in winning all three starts, including a decent race at The Valley most recently.
She’s trialled well ahead of this return, and it looks a nice launchpad for her.
2 Units Mytemptation
Race 4 - 1:45pm AEDT
Group 3 Shaftsbury Avenue Handicap (1400m)
I’m going to roll the dice on a big first-up performance from the enigmatic Ayrton.
Ayrton has often been the bane of punters’ existence throughout his career, boasting excellent ability by frequently getting himself into mischief.
That said, he clearly does his best work fresh and boasts an impressive first up record of 7:5-1-0.
He’s had the benefit of a couple of trials, Jamie Melham of course retains the ride, and the horse is certainly up to Group 3 company.
2 Units Ayrton
Race 5 - 2:20pm AEDT
Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m)
Tycoon Star is third up this weekend and I thought the VRC Sires’ Produce looked a beautiful race for him.
Tycoon Star stamped himself as one to watch by winning the Maribyrnong Plate on debut on Melbourne Cup Day last year, while he was sent for a break after running a credible fourth behind Palm Angel in the Merson Cooper Stakes.
He’s yet to strike in two runs back this time, but he was very tough into third in the Group 1 Blue Diamond last time out.
With the benefit of that hit-out and dropping in class, I think he’ll take a power of beating.
4 Units Tycoon Star
Race 6 - 2:55pm AEDT
Australian Cup Prelude (2000m)
Caulfield Cup winner Duke Des Sessa was excellent in his first run back from a spell and should only improve into this race.
The Lope De Vega gelding really did go to a new level last time in, and while he was sent off at big odds in the JRA Plate when resuming over the mile last month, he proved too good for his rivals.
The form out of that race has since been franked, and I like that this bloke has been kept up to the mark with a trial and is also getting further out in trip this week.
3 Units Duke De Sessa
Race 7 - 3:30pm AEDT
The All-Star Mile (1600m)
Just seven horses will chase riches and a place on the All-Star Mile winner’s list this week, and while the likes of Mr Brightside and Another Wil are engaged, I’m going to take them on with Tom Kitten.
A Group 1 winner in his own right, Tom Kitten turned in plenty of typically smart performances last time in, but his fresh effort to only just miss behind Mr Brightside in the Futurity Stakes a fortnight ago suggested he might have improved again.
He’s a second up winner previously, there’s no doubt he’ll relish the mile, and he should get every chance on the big Flemington track.
2 Units Tom Kitten
Race 8 - 4:10pm AEDT
Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m)
Treasurethe Moment looks to have picked up where she left off in the spring, and the Kewney Stakes looms as another perfect race for her.
The Alabama Express filly was almost faultless last time in, finishing second at her first run back before recording four-consecutive wins, peaking in the VRC Oaks.
She was too good for them in the Angus Armanasco Stakes a fortnight ago, she’s unbeaten second up and will love the mile.
5 Units Treasurethe Moment
Race 9 - 4:50pm AEDT
Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m)
This is set to be a memorable edition of the Newmarket Handicap and in my opinion, it’s easily the best race on this program.
Though there is a case to be built for most of these gallopers, I’m going to give Growing Empire another chance.
He was beaten as a popular pick in betting when resuming in the Lightning Stakes here, but we know how good this horse can be, and he was unlucky not to strike in Group 1 company last time in.
He’s a horse that tends to enjoy sharp improvement with a run under his belt and the booking of a senior hoop like Mark Zahra certainly doesn’t hinder his chances.
3 Units Growing Empire
Race 10 - 5:30pm AEDT
Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m)
I’m going to give Miraval Rose another chance when she steps out a fit horse in the Matron Stakes.
Miraval Rose was eye-catching over 1400m in the Kensington Stakes here back on New Year’s Day, while she has improved for two runs since a freshen up.
At this point of her preparation a mile does look suitable, and she’s drawn to receive a lovely run in behind the early speed under Craig Williams.
2 Units Miraval Rose