On Track - Autumn 2021

5 Saturday 13 March marks a historic day for the Moonee Valley Racing Club as it is the first time we will host the world’s richest mile race, the $5 million All-Star Mile. Although we are unable to welcome an entire crowd to The Valley that we have become accustomed to for Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day, we are grateful for having our members trackside and hope to showcase a great spectacle for all involved. The All-Star Mile is now in its third year of running, and it continues to evolve year on year from its induction in 2019. It is the only fan-voted race in Australia, and the unique nature of the event has continued to attract significant public attention in the build-up. While the top ten in voting reflects Australia’s most popular horses, both winners of the first two All-Star Miles have been wildcard runners. In 2019 Tasmania’s Mystic Journey won the inaugural running of the race, and in 2020 it was Western Australia’s Regal Power who conquered. This year we have a terrific field of fifteen to contest the race. With Ladbrokes Cox Plate 100 runners including Russian Camelot, Arcadia Queen, Sir Dragonet, Probabeel and Mugatoo set to contest the race, we are in for an exciting battle once again. Complementary to our well-known weight-for- age stars, the All-Star Mile has also provided an excellent opportunity for smaller stables around the country to enter their runners into the race. This year, The Harrovian, Still A Star and Regalo Di Gaetano are hoping to cause a great upset. Outside of the race itself, fifteen lucky voters representing the 15 horses in the field won the right to be an Owner Ambassador for the day and share in $500,000 prizemoney. The last of the lucky 15 will be drawn as our ambassador trackside on the day and represent Shout The Bar trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. In 2020, single mother Tegan Abercrombie cheered Regal Power home to victory, and she spent her winnings on a new car and a house deposit, a truly wonderful result for a race that is about more than just the horses. After a challenging year in 2020, I want to thank our loyal members for their continued support and look forward to hosting this year’s 2021 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival with all members trackside. For now, we hope you enjoy a terrific day at the All-Star Mile and, and a week later, as we finish the Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights season with the brilliant Group 1 Keogh Homes William Reid Stakes. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT DON CASBOULT Don Casboult Chairman Moonee Valley Racing Club