All-Star Mile hopeful King Magnus on the cusp of selection for $5m Flemington feature

Trainer Robbie Griffiths has his fingers crossed King Magnus can sneak into the All-Star Mile field when voting ends this weekend.

Gilbert Gardiner

@gilbertgardiner

2 min read

February 10, 2022 - 7:50PM

News Corp Racing and Sports Wagering Hub

Cranbourne Cup winner King Magnus sits just outside the top 10 in All-Star Mile voting. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

King Magnus fans face a nervous weekend wait, with the Cranbourne Cup winner on the cusp of selection for the $5m All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 19.

Unlike the 31 All-Star Mile-nominated horses set to run at Caulfield and Randwick on Saturday, King Magnus must rely on votes not performances to boost his credentials for the world’s richest mile.

The All-Star Mile top 10 leaderboard will be hidden from 10pm Friday through to polls closing at 11.59pm Sunday.

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King Magnus, ranked 13th, is one of four horses within striking distance of 10th spot, currently held by Group 1 CF Orr Stakes contender Lightsaber.

Flying Mascot, who led voting when polls opened last month has dropped to 11th, just ahead of Lighthouse.

King Magnus trainer Robbie Griffiths has “fingers and toes crossed” a mailout to Cranbourne Turf Club members and affiliates will trigger a late rush.

Griffiths, who trains in partnership with Mathew de Kock, has relied solely on votes to qualify King Magnus as racing now would compromise the gelding’s Group 1 Doncaster Handicap ambitions.

“There is no Plan B, it’s all voting,” Griffiths said.

“The punters can only form their opinion on form lines based on his last racing campaign.”

Robbie Griffiths hasn’t given up on qualifying King Magnus for the All-Star Mile. Picture: AAP

King Magnus was freshened up after a bountiful winter campaign last year to contest spring stakes races.

He was runner-up in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) then beaten under a length in a blanket finish to the Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

The six-year-old son of Magnus relished heavy conditions to win the Cranbourne Cup, run over 1600m for the first time last November.

King Magnus will resume in a Listed 1400m race at Flemington on March 5 – two weeks before the All Star Mile on March 19.

“He’s come back so much stronger, 23kg heavier than when he last raced,” Griffiths said.

“He’s a stronger, more developed horse again, so we’re hoping that all equates to a faster horse, which means he’ll rise to the occasion when taking on the challenge of the All Star Mile.”