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Bruce McAvaney’s idea to boost the identity of the dwindling All-Star Mile
Andrew Slevison • March 6th, 2025 2:59 pm
Sports broadcasting royalty Bruce McAvaney has an idea that could spark the public’s imagination when it comes to the All-Star Mile.
This year’s seven-horse All-Star Mile field has left a lot to be desired ahead of its running at Flemington this Saturday, diminishing excitement levels of the event.
Now in its sixth iteration, the All-Star Mile has changed significantly from what Racing Victoria initially conceptualised in 2018 as a publicly-voted slot race which was once worth $5 million.
The on-paper status of the race has improved to a Group 1, however, the prize money has been whittled away to $2.5 million and the field of seven - while with quality at the top in the form of Mr Brightside and Another Wil - is not quite what the racing public wants to see.
McAvaney firmly believes that a shift of schedule to the back-end of the Melbourne spring carnival would recapture the hearts of racing fans when it comes to the dwindling All-Star Mile.
“The All-Star Mile is an intriguing race, but just not what was envisaged,” McAvaney said on SEN’s Whateley.
“It’s certainly had a backflip. It’s still a fascinating seven-horse field, just not what Racing Victoria were looking for when they started it all.
“The irony is it’s a Group 1 for the first time with half a field, we’ve only got seven runners. Chris Waller sent his third string down (in Atishu).
“The field is what the Verry Elleegant was last week, it’s the same standard.”
McAvaney would not go up against the AFL or NRL if he were Racing Victoria.
“This is what I’d do - it’s a spring event. If you want to engage the public in racing in a massive way, it’s not autumn, it’s spring,” he continued.
“There’s (AFL) footy starting this weekend, rugby league (NRL) has already been up and going. If you want that type of event it has to be in spring.
“I’d have it two weeks after the Melbourne Cup Carnival, I’d have it as a handicap over a mile and I’d re-engage the public, and off we go.
“That’s the way to make something like this work out, it has to be in spring. (Racing NSW chief) Peter V’Landys is never going to put The Everest when rugby league is being played.
“It doesn’t work in terms of capturing everybody’s attention. So that’s what I’d be doing.”
Gerard Whateley is not too perturbed, specifically speaking, by the quality of this year’s field given the presence of five Group 1 winners.
However, he does take some issue with the overall direction and feel of the race.
“It started as a $5 million race with a public vote,” Whateley said.
“The honour roll was always good, the race was a bit weird with the collection out together, but that was sort of the concept.
“Now they’re down to a $2.5 million Group 1, so they’ve solidified it as a Group 1, but it’s just another mile race.
“It’s an excellent field, so I think we’ll get a great spectacle. I just can’t quite figure out where it fits and what it is.”
Lindsay Park’s nine-time Group 1 champion (and 2023 ASM winner) Mr Brightside is currently the $2.50 favourite with Sportsbet for Saturday’s All-Star Mile, ahead of Ciaron Maher’s Another Wil at $2.80, James Cummings’ Tom Kitten at $5 and Chris Waller’s Atishu at $11.
The overall honour roll of the All-Star Mile is:2024 - Pride Of Jenni2023 - Mr Brightside2022 - Zaaki2021 - Mugatoo2020 - Regal Power2019 - Mystic Journey
