Who sporting identities and celebrities are voting for in the 2020 All-Star Mile

A public vote will help decide which horses get to battle it out in the world’s richest mile horse race next month. And with a share of $500,000 up for grabs just for voting, those in the know tell us who they are backing.

Ninety horses are vying for a place in this year’s $5 million All-Star Mile, Australia’s richest 1600m horse race.

And everyday Australians will vote to help decide the field for the March 14 race at Caulfield Racecourse.

Trainers and owners are scrambling to secure public votes for their hopefuls, who stand to scoop $2.25 million if they win.

The public vote, which closes tomorrow, will determine the first 10 horses guaranteed a start in the race.

The remaining five places will go to wildcard horses chosen by an expert committee.

Fifteen voters will then be randomly chosen as “owner-ambassadors” for the horses — and they stand to win a whopping $250,000 if their horse wins the All-Star Mile.

AFLW Tiger Monique Conti this week pledged her vote to three-year-old filly Pretty Brazen, after owner Linda Huddy pledged 15 per cent of prizemoney to junior women’s sport development.

“That’s really huge,” Conti said. “I’ll be there on the day and it will be a pretty cool experience.”

So if you’re a novice punter, how do you know where your vote should go? We asked celebs and those in the know who they were backing for 2020 All-Star Mile victory:

Aristia, who won the Kennedy Oaks in 2019, is a strong contender for the 2020 All-Star Mile. Picture: David Crosling, AAP Image

Michelle Payne, 2015 Melbourne Cup-winning jockey

Aristia: “I’m getting behind Aristia for the All-Star Mile because I think she can give them a real shake. Her run in the G1 Empire Rose over a mile was brilliant. She’s a beautiful, versatile mare that can race on speed and I’ll be cheering her home!”

Hamish McLachlan, sports presenter

Super Seth and Alligator Blood: “Two three-year-olds will dead heat in an epic where the return stoush from the Guineas has an even crazier ending. As I write, Super Seth is the only horse to beat Alligator Blood — and Alligator Blood is a bona fide star.”

Jamie Kah, jockey

Gold Fields: “My vote in the All-Star Mile is Gold Fields because we all love an underdog. He’s trained by the best bloke and deserves a run in the race as he’s been in super form, and is currently number 10 in the ranking.”

Alligator Blood is already a favourite among All-Star Mile voters. Picture: Trackside Photography

Tegan Martin, former Miss Universe Australia

Alligator Blood: “It’s a great horse, I’m told, with a really cool name so what’s not to like.”

Joel Selwood, Geelong AFL star

Mr Quickie: “I’ve voted for the well-named Mr Quickie in the All-Star Mile. He’s a Group 1 winner, goes well fresh and his breeder, Rosemont Stud, is based near Geelong”

Brendon McCullum, former cricketer and commentator

Melody Belle: “I love that Kiwis can vote in the All-Star Mile this year. I went for Melody Belle, she’s won 10 Group 1 races and is a mile specialist. Enough said!”

Melody Bell, pictured winning the TAB Empire Rose Stakes at last year’s Derby Day, has won the votes of Jason Richardson and Brendon McCullum. Picture: Quinn Rooney, Getty Images.

Jason Richardson (Channel 7 and Racing.com presenter)

Melody Belle: “My early pick for The All Star Mile is Melody Belle. She is New Zealand’s champion racehorse who has all the right credentials to win, being a multiple Group 1 winner over a mile.”

Olivia Molly Rogers, former Miss Universe Australia

Dalasan: “I saw him win at Flemington over the Melbourne Cup Carnival so I know he has the talent to win the All Star Mile and I would love to see a South Australian horse in the race.”

Choose your favourite horse to race in the $5 million All Star Mile — voting closes on Sunday, February 16.

Originally published as Who sporting identities and celebrities are voting for in the 2020 All-Star Mile