All-Star Mile: Alligator Blood, Alizee, Catalyst and Flit stamp claims for spots in $5m race
The $5 million All-Star Mile puzzle has intensified with electrifying performances at Flemington and Randwick underlying the star quality entered in the world’s richest 1600m contest.
The $5 million All-Star Mile puzzle has intensified with electrifying performances at Flemington and Randwick underlying the star quality entered in the world’s richest 1600m contest.
Alligator Blood, who headed the leaderboard before Friday’s blackout, franked his popularity with a gusty CS Hayes victory over fellow three-year-old contender Catalyst.
The pair, who staged a monumental battle at Flemington, is due to clash again in the Australian Guineas at Flemington on February 29 before squaring off at Caulfield two weeks later in the All-Star Mile.
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While Alligator Blood’s trainer David Vandyke was justifiably jubilant after his tenacious gelding’s courageous win, Catalyst’s handler Clayton Chipperfield lost no faith in his charge.
“That was some sort of dogfight, but I was very happy with that,” Chipperfield said.
ALL-STAR MILE: VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE HORSE
“He gave the winner a kilo and got beaten a nose. Obviously, the weight was an advantage for the other boy, but we can’t be disappointed with that.
“It wasn’t a must-win race but we needed to know he was competitive and he certainly answered that question. His best sectionals have been over a mile. He’ll relish the mile of the Guineas.”
Alizee, third in last year’s All-Star Mile behind Mystic Journey and Hartnell, landed the Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, defeating fellow All-Star Mile aspirants Dreamforce (second) and Verry Elleegant (fourth).
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s sprinter Loving Gaby also caught the eye with a flashing third behind Gytrash in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes.
Flit stamped her credentials with success in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) before Galaxy Raider stormed from the ruck to snare The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (1400m).
Voting closes on Sunday night (11.59pm) before the final 15-horse field, with up to five wildcards, is announced for the March 15 feature.
ALL-STAR MILE CONTENDERS
How they fared on Saturday
FLEMINGTON
Black Caviar Lightning (1000m)
Loving Gaby – Third
CS Hayes Stakes (1400m)
Alligator Blood - Won
Catalyst - Second
Soul Patch – Fourth
Dalasan - Fifth
The Vanity (1400m)
Pretty Brazen - Second
Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (1400m)
Galaxy Raider – won
Ef Troop - Fourth
Admiral’s Joker – Fifth
Fox Hall - Seventh
Star Missile - Eighth
Rox The Castle - Ninth
RANDWICK
Apollo Stakes (1400m)
Alizee – Won
Dreamforce – Second
Verry Elleegant - Fourth
Light Fingers Stakes (1200m)
Flit – Won
Southern Cross Stakes (1200m)
Jungle Edge - Third
EAGLE FARM
Open Handicap (1400m)
Cruze – Seventh
Originally published as All-Star Mile: Alligator Blood, Alizee, Catalyst and Flit stamp claims for spots in $5m race
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