Nominations for The All-Star Mile to open Tuesday, 11 December

Nominations will officially open on Tuesday, 11 December for the inaugural running of the $5 million The All-Star Mile, the world’s richest 1600m race which gives fans a say in which horses compete.

Racing Victoria (RV) and the state’s three metropolitan racing clubs – the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) and Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) – combined to launch The All-Star Mile in November, with the concept well-received by participants and racing fans.

The All-Star Mile will make its debut on Saturday, 16 March 2019 at Flemington and is set to become the signature race of the Festival of Racing, the annual showcase of premier Victorian racing held throughout February and March.

In firsts for Australian racing, a public vote will determine the majority of the field for the The All-Star Mile which will become the first feature race to be rotated annually across three Victorian metropolitan tracks.

With total prizemoney of $5 million on offer, connections of the coveted All-Star are set to collect $2.25 million. The nomination fee for The All-Star Mile is just $500 with the proceeds to go to charity, while no acceptance fees are required.

The All-Star Mile will be run under weight-for-age conditions, with a field of 14 All-Stars and four emergencies selected. The top 10 vote-getters will secure a start in The All-Star Mile, with RV retaining four wildcards to include horses into the final field (whether an original nominee or not).

In line with RV’s existing Group 1 entry conditions, horses must have an official handicap rating of 70 at the close of nominations in mid-January to be eligible to compete as a fan-voted runner.

Fans will be invited to vote online from mid-January for the horse they want to see contest The All-Star Mile from the list of nominations. Owners are also invited to vote for their horse to help secure its place.

Voting will close in mid-February 2019, with the top 10 vote-getters announced shortly thereafter. The final field will be declared and barrier draw conducted on 12 March.