This weekend offers a thrilling spectacle for Australian horse racing enthusiasts, featuring three Group 1 races across two states. Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne will host the $2.5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) and the $1.5 million Newmarket Handicap (1200m), while Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse stages the $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
The All-Star Mile
The All-Star Mile, first run in 2019, has rapidly become a highlight of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival. Initially conceived with a “fan engagement” element where the public voted to determine a majority of the field, the race has evolved. For the 2024 edition and beyond, it transitioned to a more traditional selection process and was elevated to Group 1 status. This shift signifies a move towards solidifying the race’s prestige and attracting a consistently high-caliber field, aligning it with other esteemed Group 1 races in the Australian racing calendar.
History of the All-Star Mile
The All-Star Mile’s journey began at Flemington Racecourse on March 16, 2019, with the victory of the Adam Trinder-trained Tasmanian mare Mystic Journey. The race then embarked on a tour of Melbourne’s major racecourses, moving to Caulfield in 2020 where Regal Power, trained by Grant & Alana Williams, triumphed. In 2021, Moonee Valley played host, witnessing the Kris Lees-trained Mugatoo claim victory in a rain-soaked edition. Flemington welcomed the race back in 2022, with Zaaki, trained by Annabel Neasham, adding another Group 1 to his impressive resume. The 2023 All-Star Mile saw Mr Brightside, trained by the Hayes brothers, conquer Moonee Valley. Most recently, in 2024, Pride Of Jenni showcased her dominance at Caulfield.
The initial public voting system, a defining feature of the All-Star Mile, added a unique dimension to the race. Fans had the opportunity to vote for their favorite horses, with the highest vote-getters securing a place in the final field. This interactive element fostered a sense of ownership and excitement among racing enthusiasts. However, the voting system was not without its challenges, as the composition of the field could change significantly leading up to the race, creating uncertainty for connections and potentially frustrating fans. The decision to move away from public voting reflects a desire to provide greater certainty and simplify engagement while maintaining the race’s high profile.
Adding to its appeal, the All-Star Mile has a charitable component. A portion of the prizemoney is donated to a selection of charities, further enhancing the race’s positive impact.
Interesting Statistics
- The All-Star Mile has produced a diverse range of winners, with horses of varying ages and genders achieving victory. This includes a 3-year-old filly (Mystic Journey), a 7-year-old gelding (Zaaki), and a mare who had previously won the Australian Guineas (Mystic Journey). This variety adds to the unpredictability and excitement of the race.
- Interestingly, only one favorite has won the All-Star Mile to date: Zaaki in 2022. This statistic suggests that the race is often open and competitive, with upsets occurring frequently.
- The quality of the All-Star Mile field is undeniable, with the 2022 and 2023 races producing the trifecta for the Doncaster Mile, another prestigious Group 1 race. This highlights the caliber of horses competing in the All-Star Mile and its significance in the Australian racing landscape.
Jockeys and Trainers
This year’s All-Star Mile features a strong lineup of jockeys and trainers. Craig Williams will ride Mr Brightside, Ben Melham will be aboard Tom Kitten, and Ethan Brown will partner Light Infantry Man. Jamie Kah, who won the All-Star Mile in 2022 with Zaaki, is not competing in this year’s race. However, she was featured in the All-Star Mile documentary, “Miles In Front,” which provides a behind-the-scenes look at the race and its participants.
Top Contenders
The current market odds suggest a close contest between the top contenders:
| Horse | Trainer(s) | Jockey | Odds |
| Mr Brightside | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Craig Williams | $2.5 |
| Another Wil | Ciaron Maher | Jamie Melham | $2.9 |
| Tom Kitten | James Cummings | Ben Melham | $5 |
| Atishu | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | $7 |
| Light Infantry Man | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | $15 |
| Rise At Dawn | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Mark Zahra | $18 |
Mr Brightside, a dual Doncaster Mile winner and five-time Group 1 victor, is the current favorite. Another Wil, the C.F. Orr Stakes winner, is considered a strong contender. Tom Kitten, trained by James Cummings, and Atishu, a Flemington specialist trained by Chris Waller, are also expected to be in the mix.
The Canterbury Stakes
The Canterbury Stakes is a Group 1 weight-for-age race for sprinters over 1300m. It’s a unique race on the Australian racing calendar, being one of only two Group 1 races run over this specific distance. The Canterbury Stakes is an important lead-up race to the prestigious George Ryder Stakes (1500m) held two weeks later at Rosehill Gardens. The winner of the Canterbury Stakes is exempt from the ballot for the George Ryder Stakes, adding to the race’s significance.
History of the Canterbury Stakes
First run in 1929 and won by Amounis, the Canterbury Stakes has a rich history. The race has seen several changes to its distance over the years. Initially a six-furlong (approximately 1200m) race, it was officially changed to 1200m in 1973. In 2004, the distance was increased to 1300m, where it remains today. However, there was a brief period in 2008 when the race was run over 1550m. This experimentation with distance reflects the evolving nature of horse racing and the ongoing quest to find the optimal test for different types of horses.
The Canterbury Stakes was upgraded to Group 1 level in 2013, further enhancing its prestige and attracting a higher quality of contenders. The prize money was also significantly increased, reflecting the race’s growing importance in the Australian racing calendar.
Notable winners of the Canterbury Stakes include Amounis (one of Phar Lap’s great rivals), Sky High, Manikato, More Joyous, and Pierro. Darren Beadman holds the record for the most wins by a jockey in the Canterbury Stakes, with an impressive seven victories.
Interesting Statistics
- Favorites have a strong record in the Canterbury Stakes, with 14 winning since 1996. This statistic suggests that the race often favors the higher-rated horses, making it a potentially good race for punters who follow the form.
- Mares have performed exceptionally well in recent years, winning 8 of the last 15 renewals. This trend could be attributed to several factors, including the breeding and training practices that have led to the development of high-quality female sprinters in Australia.
- Since 2011, every Canterbury Stakes winner had already won a Group 1 race, with the exceptions of Lady Laguna (2023), Mizzy (2021), and Holler (2016). This statistic highlights the high caliber of horses that typically compete in the Canterbury Stakes and the race’s position as a proving ground for elite sprinters.
It’s worth noting that the Canterbury Stakes often clashes with the Melbourne Autumn Carnival’s sprint program, particularly the Newmarket Handicap. This can impact the field, as some trainers may opt to keep their top sprinters in Melbourne for those races.
Jockeys and Trainers
This year’s Canterbury Stakes sees Adam Hyeronimus aboard Ceolwulf, Nash Rawiller riding Here To Shock, and Tyler Schiller partnering Airman. James Cummings, a fourth-generation trainer with a remarkable record, will saddle Pericles in this year’s race. Cummings has trained numerous Group 1 winners, including Savatiano in the 2021 Canterbury Stakes, and his horses have consistently performed at the highest level.
Top Contenders
The top contenders for the Canterbury Stakes, based on current market odds, are:
| Horse | Jockey | Odds |
| Magic Time | Jordan Childs | $3.2 |
| Stefi Magnetica | Zac Lloyd | $5 |
| Sunshine In Paris | Chad Schofield | $5 |
| Switzerland | James McDonald | $6 |
| Here To Shock | Nash Rawiller | $9 |
| Ceolwulf | Adam Hyeronimus | $11 |
Magic Time, trained byGrahame Begg, is the favorite after a first-up win at Randwick. Sunshine In Paris, a last-start Group 1 winner, and Stefi Magnetica are also considered strong contenders.
The Newmarket Handicap
The Newmarket Handicap is a renowned sprint race with a rich history dating back to 1874. It’s considered Australia’s premier sprint handicap and is known for attracting the best sprinters in the country. The race is run over 1200m down the Flemington straight, a unique and challenging course that tests a horse’s speed and stamina.
History of the Newmarket Handicap
The Newmarket Handicap was the brainchild of VRC committeeman Captain Frederick Standish, who, inspired by the famous Newmarket Racecourse in England, proposed a “short and merry” race over six furlongs to add excitement to the VRC’s autumn program. The race quickly gained popularity and has become a cornerstone of the Australian racing calendar.
The Newmarket Handicap is unique in that it allows a larger field than most other races at Flemington. Apart from the Melbourne Cup, it’s the only race where up to 24 horses are permitted to start. This large field size often leads to thrilling finishes and unpredictable outcomes.
Five horses have achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Newmarket Handicap twice: Aspen, Gothic, Correct, Razor Sharp, and Redkirk Warrior. Bart Cummings, a legend of Australian racing, holds the record for most wins as a trainer with eight victories.
As a handicap race, the Newmarket Handicap presents a unique challenge. Horses are allocated different weights based on their past performances, with the aim of creating a level playing field. This handicap system adds an extra layer of complexity to the race, as it requires careful consideration of each horse’s weight allocation in relation to their form and ability. It also makes the Newmarket Handicap a popular race for punters, as it offers the potential for value bets on horses carrying lighter weights.
Interesting Statistics
- Three-year-olds have a strong record in the Newmarket Handicap, having won 13 of the last 27 editions. This statistic suggests that younger horses, with their potential for improvement and often lighter weights, can be competitive against more seasoned sprinters.
- The Black Caviar Lightning Stakes and the Oakleigh Plate are the most successful lead-up races to the Newmarket Handicap, producing 14 of the winners from 2008 to 2024. These races serve as key form indicators for the Newmarket Handicap, and horses performing well in those lead-up sprints often carry strong favoritism in the Newmarket.
- Only one horse in the past 100 years has won the Newmarket Handicap first-up: Redkirk Warrior in 2017. This statistic highlights the importance of race fitness and experience for the Newmarket Handicap, as horses typically need at least one lead-up run to be competitive.
- The Newmarket Handicap hasn’t been kind to favorites in recent years, with Hay List in 2012 being the most recent favorite to salute. This trend suggests that the race is often unpredictable, with upsets occurring frequently.
- Barrier 6 is the most successful barrier in Newmarket Handicap history, with seven wins. This statistic could be a factor for punters when analyzing the field and making their betting selections.
Experience down the Flemington straight can be crucial in the Newmarket Handicap. The straight course presents a unique challenge, and horses that have previously raced down the straight often have an advantage.
Another interesting trend is the recent dominance of male horses in the Newmarket Handicap. Only four female horses have won since 2008: Black Caviar (2011), Sunlight (2019), Roch ‘N’ Horse (2022), and In Secret (2023).
Jockeys and Trainers
Ben Melham will ride Benedetta, Billy Egan will be aboard Maharba, and Craig Newitt will partner Arkansaw Kid in the Newmarket Handicap. Chris Waller, a leading trainer with numerous Group 1 wins, including a record 11th win in the Verry Elleegant Stakes in 2025, will have two runners in the race: Joliestar and Gatsby’s.
Top Contenders
The following horses are considered the top contenders for the Newmarket Handicap:
| Horse | Jockey | Odds |
| Joliestar | Damian Lane | $5 |
| Benedetta | Ben Melham | $10 |
| Rey Magnerio | Jye McNeil | $10 |
| Stretan Angel | Lachlan Neindorf | $7.5 |
| Growing Empire | Mark Zahra | $6.5 |
Joliestar, trained by Chris Waller, is the favorite. Benedetta, a proven straight track performer and Group 1 winner, is expected to be a strong contender. Rey Magnerio, who has performed well at Flemington, is also considered a leading chance.
This weekend’s Group 1 races are poised to deliver captivating displays of athleticism and strategic racing. The All-Star Mile, with its recent elevation to Group 1 status, is set to become an even more prestigious event. The Canterbury Stakes, a unique test for sprinters, offers an exciting preview for the upcoming George Ryder Stakes. And the Newmarket Handicap, a historic sprint race with a handicap system that adds an extra layer of intrigue, promises a thrilling contest down the Flemington straight. With a mix of established champions, rising stars, and the unpredictable nature of horse racing, this weekend is a must-watch for any racing enthusiast.
