Champion trainer Chris Waller says Group 1 status adds ‘more value’ to All-Star Mile after prizemoney reduction

Chris Waller will have just his second runner in the All-Star Mile but says there is more appeal to winning the race now despite less prizemoney on offer.

Champion trainer Chris Waller says the new Group 1 status has added “more value” to the All-Star Mile (1600m) despite the drop in prizemoney.

The All-Star Mile prize is $2.5m on Saturday at Flemington – $1.5m to winner – down from a $4m pool last year.

The Victorian autumn feature boasted a $5m bounty from launch in 2019 to 2023.

Racing Victoria has cut costs the past two years, including prizemoney on selected races, to combat a drop in wagering revenue.

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RV strategically redistributed $1m from the All-Star Mile purse last year to fund entry-level races, including a rich and well-supported maiden series.

A further $500,000 ensured the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap remained at $1.5m prizemoney.

Waller said the All-Star Mile’s Group 1 recognition offset the prizemoney reduction.

“It’s come back in prizemoney but in my opinion it’s added more value to racing by being a Group 1,” Waller said.

“Adds to the value of the horse, not just that horse, not just Atishu, her mother, her brothers, sisters and further down.

“How can you quantify value with Group 1 compared to a big race? Well, I’d say it easily surpasses that (prizemoney), probably puts a value of $20m into the bloodstock pool.”

Waller has Flemington specialist Atishu set for the All-Star Mile on Saturday with jockey Damian Lane aboard.

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The triple Group 1 winner, which includes the Champions Stakes (2000m) and Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, is Waller’s second only All-Star Mile challenger.

Star Of The Seas finished sixth for Waller in 2021 behind Mugatoo.

Atishu, who resumed with a seventh place in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) in Sydney, has drawn widest of seven on Saturday in the All-Star Mile.

Atishu will be aiming to win another Group 1 at Flemington in the All-Star Mile on Saturday. Picture: Michael Klein

Mr Brightside, the 2023 All-Star Mile winner and runner-up last year, has barrier five in the small field, while second favourite Another Wil drew gate one.

Rise At Dawn (barrier two), Flying Trapeze (three), Tom Kitten (four), Light Infantry Man (six) round out the smallest All-Star Mile field to date.

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Atishu has won three of nine starts second-up previously and placed second twice.

“Atishu’s first up run was really good,” Waller said.

“She drew wide, went back and finished off nicely, she’s trained on really well since.

“She loves Flemington, is a multiple Group 1 winner here, she loves the mile and it’s good timing onto the Australian Cup from there.”

Atishu has won four of 10 starts at Flemington and placed three times including twice at the highest level, runner-up in the Empire Rose (2023) and Champions Stakes last year.

“Flemington is just a fantastic track, all the horses get their chances,” Waller said.

“Lovely long straight, a big sweeping bend, and it’s always a good surface.

“It’s very consistent, I think other tracks would all strive to be like Flemington 52 weeks of the year, including the punters.

“Atishu relishes that type of climate and track and it just suits her racing style, she likes to be left alone, build momentum and finish off strong.”

Originally published as Champion trainer Chris Waller says Group 1 status adds ‘more value’ to All-Star Mile after prizemoney reduction