Racing Victoria scraps public voting and cuts prizemoney by $1m for 2024 All-Star Mile at Caulfield
Racing Victoria has abandoned the public voting section and gone for more ‘Win and You’re In’ races as part of a revamp for the 2024 All-Star Mile at Caulfield.
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Public voting has been scrapped and prizemoney dropped to $4 million for next year’s All-Star Mile.
Caulfield will host the 2024 All-Star Mile on March 16 after the race bypassed the venue this year while significant track works were carried out.
A Racing Victoria review of the All-Star Mile determined trainers would like more certainty of getting a start in the rich event, which will form part of a $7 million double with the Australian Cup, run two weeks later next year.
Therefore, RV decided to abandon the public voting promotion, instead forming the field through an increased number of ‘Win and You’re In’ races and Wild Card recipients.
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Saturday’s $1m Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield will be the first ‘Win and You’re In’ race for next year’s All-Star Mile.
RV has struck a deal with New Zealand to run two races offering an All-Star Mile start to the winners on January 27.
The $NZ1.5 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) and the inaugural $NZ1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) will be ‘Win and You’re In’ races.
The Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes and Futurity Stakes at Caulfield in February will offer All-Star Mile berths to the winners as will the Group 1 Australian Guineas and Group 2 Blamey Stakes at Flemington on March 2.
RV will announce the last ‘Win and You’re In’ race at a later date.
RV’s general manager of racing Matt Welsh said the public would still have a chance to influence the All-Star Mile field through various media initiatives.
“Each year we review the All-Star Mile to ensure it is delivering on its key objectives,” Welsh said.
“We’re revamping the 2024 All-Star Mile to provide greater certainty for connections, reduce frustrations around the changing composition of the field and simplify engagement for fans.
“The new mixture of ‘Win and You’re In’ races and wildcard selections provides greater flexibility in field selection, whilst ensuring we retain intrigue arounds its composition.
“Fans will still have a say in shaping the field with some input to be sought into wildcard spots through polls and engagement via our digital platforms and broadcast partners.”
The revamped All-Star Mile will still feature the Owner Ambassadors competition to offer lucky draw winners a chance to be a part-owner of each runner.
RV will announce plans for a “simplified competition” to provide more people with the chance to enter and participate in the All-Star Mile.
Originally published as Racing Victoria scraps public voting and cuts prizemoney by $1m for 2024 All-Star Mile at Caulfield