Futurity Stakes winner Sierra Sue draws poorly for $5m All-Star Mile at Flemington

Sierra Sue’s trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have plenty of thinking to do after the All-Star Mile barrier draw.

Sierra Sue won her way into the All-Star Mile via her triumph in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Cranbourne trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young will spend the next few days plotting Sierra Sue’s path to victory in Saturday’s $5m All-Star Mile at Flemington.

Sierra Sue booked her place in the world’s richest 1600m race with her win in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) last month but luck deserted connections at Tuesday’s barrier draw.

Part-owner Brett Carty drew barrier 13 for the dual Group 1 winner in a rare setback for the ownership group that also includes Melbourne Cup-winning owners Ozzie Kheir and Brae Sokolski.

Young said the draw presented Sierra Sue with a difficult, but not impossible, task in the All-Star Mile.

“When she won the Group 2 (Let’s Elope Stakes) here (at Flemington) with Michael Walker on, she came from last, so it can be done,” Young said.

“But the rail is out eight metres on Saturday so it will depend on how its going to play throughout the day.”

Jockey John Allen will have the task of guiding Sierra Sue into a winnable position from the tricky gate.

Allen has ridden Sierra Sue to three wins from five rides, including the Futurity Stakes.

Young said Allen’s knowledge would be a significant asset to the daughter of Darci Brahma.

Sierra Sue and jockey John Allen have formed a terrific partnership in the last 12 months. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“There looks to be plenty of speed on and John Allen, he knows her really well and whether we’ll have to cop our medicine and go back,” Young said.

“She’s pretty easy to ride.

“You’ve just got to cuddle her up for that sprint over the last 250(m) but she’s come through the Futurity Stakes really well.”

Sierra Sue easily won over 1732m in Benchmark 64 company early in her career but most punters think the Savabeel mare is more of a 1400m type.

However, Young said Sierra Sue could have changed that perception had she had any luck in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes over 1600m at The Valley last spring.

“If you go back to the Feehan Stakes at The Valley in the spring, she was held up and if she had got out and won that, we’d be saying she gets the mile no problem,’ Young said.

“At the 1400(m), she’s just a little bit more effective because they go harder early and she can sit off them and get home over the top of them.

“If she can get an economical run, I think she’ll run it out no problem.”

TAB installed Sierra Sue as a $26 in its early final field market on the All-Star Mile.

Outstanding import Zaaki is the $3 favourite ahead of a trio of runners – I’m Thunderstruck, Inspirational Girl and Pinstriped – at $6.

$5m ALL-STAR MILE (1600m) FIELD

Flemington, Saturday March 19

1 – I’M THUNDERSTUCK (1) – Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr – Jye McNeil – 59kg

2 – ZAAKI (15) – Annabel Neasham – Jamie Kah – 59kg

3 – CASCADIAN (6) – James Cummings – Damien Oliver – 59kg

4 – STREETS OF AVALON (3) – Shane Nichols – Zac Spain – 59kg

5 – LUNAR FOX (14) – Paul Pruesker – Craig Newitt – 59kg

6 – KING MAGNUS (5) – Robbie Griffiths and Matt de Kock – Lachlan King – 59kg

7 – CALLSIGN MAV (10) – Danny O’Brien – Ben Allen – 56kg

8 – MR BRIGHTSIDE (2) – Ben and JD Hayes – Craig Williams – 59kg

9 – ICEBATH (9) – Brad Widdup – Fred Kersley – 57kg

10 – TOFANE (7) – Mike Moroney – Jamie Mott – 57kg

11 – SIERRA SUE (13) – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young – John Allen – 57kg

12 – INSPIRATIONAL GIRL (4) – Danny O’Brien – Damian Lane – 57kg

13 – CAPTIVANT (11) – Paul & Peter Snowden – Patrick Moloney – 59kg

14 – LIGHTSABER (12) – Peter Moody – Luke Nolen – 56kg

15 – PINSTRIPED (8) – Enver Jusufovic – Michael Dee – 56kg

Originally published as Futurity Stakes winner Sierra Sue draws poorly for $5m All-Star Mile at Flemington