All-Star Mile a 'Mickey Mouse' concept: Moody

1 year ago

Former champion trainer Peter Moody has slammed the All-Star Mile concept and says the $5 million purse would be better used to increase the prize money of maiden races.

Fourteen runners will contest the inaugural running of the All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 16. Ten of the slots will be determined by public vote, while the remaining four 'wildcard' runners will be selected by Racing Victoria (RV) officials.

Speaking on Ladbrokes' 'Moody on the Mic' on 1116SEN, Moody, who is now a prominent owner, said: "I wish I had one good enough to run in it, then I might get more involved, but I haven't and I couldn’t care less."

When RV launched the race in last November, it was suggested by some that the race was designed in response to Racing New South Wales' 'concept' races, namely the $13 million The Everest and $7.5 million The Golden Eagle.

"I start thinking 'do we need these Mickey Mouse races?'. We've got great racing in Victoria," said Moody.

"Is this a knee-jerk reaction to the races they've put on in New South Wales?"

The winner of the All-Star Mile will receive $2.25 million, while the last five across the line will pocket their connections $90,000.

Moody added: "I'd rather have $50,000 maidens because I trialled six maidens this morning down at Balnarring and they're all going to head off to a $22,000 race.

"What's the first and only race a lot of horses win – a maiden. There's more of a chance for a return back into the industry.

"Good luck to connections, but it's a Mickey Mouse concept and we don’t need it."

A 'maiden' carries minimum prize money of $23,000 and is a race for horses that has no wins to its name.

To be eligible for the All-Star Mile, runners must have an official RV handicap rating of 70 at the close of nominations.

The All-Star Mile has been the subject of criticism in recent weeks due to the lack of quality in the top-10 in voting.

Group 1 winners including Hartnell, Le Romain, Happy Clapper, Land Of Plenty and I Am A Star sit outside the top 10 and will almost certainly be reliant on a wildcard to make the field, given there is only a few days of voting remaining.

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