Michael McInally Photography
Racing Victoria (RV) and Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) have today announced a new partnership with Magic Millions that will see one of the stars of Queensland’s biggest raceday get their opportunity to shine in the 2024 All-Star Mile at Caulfield.
The winner of the $3 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) on 13 January 2024 will secure a start in the $4 million All-Star Mile on 16 March 2024.
The Queensland feature will be the first ‘Win and You’re In’ race conducted outside Victoria in the six-year history of the All-Star Mile.
As part of a revamped selection process for the 2024 All-Star Mile, the Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas will be one of eight ‘Win and You’re In’ races, including three outside Victoria.
The Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas will be run a fortnight prior to two New Zealand ‘Win and You’re In’ races at the TAB Karaka Millions Raceday in Auckland on 27 January 2024.
Last month’s Group 1 Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield doubled as the first ‘Win and You’re In’ race for the 2024 All-Star Mile with rising Grahame Begg-trained star Magic Time successful.
The announcement of the All-Star Mile and Magic Millions partnership comes in the countdown to Saturday’s Sportsbet Ballarat Cup meeting where Victoria hosts the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic and the Magic Millions Ballarat 3YO & 4YO Classic.
Quotes attributable to RV Executive General Manager – Racing, Matt Welsh
“We revamped the All-Star Mile to provide greater certainty for connections, reduce frustrations around the changing composition of the field, and simplify engagement for fans.
“A mix of ‘Win and You’re In’ races and wildcard selections provides greater flexibility in field selection, whilst ensuring we retain intrigue around the composition of what is our number one turnover race of the summer and autumn.
“Together with the Melbourne Racing Club, we’re excited to partner with Magic Millions and announce our first ever All-Star Mile ‘Win and You’re In’ race in Queensland.
“The Magic Millions Raceday continues to go from strength to strength each January and we’re pleased to offer a graduate the opportunity to shine thereafter in Melbourne.
“The winner of the Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas will be guaranteed a start in the 2024 All-Star Mile at Caulfield and we hope connections take up the prized opportunity.
“With the All-Star Mile run a fortnight after the Howden Australian Guineas at Flemington it’s a great autumn double to cement the reputation of a three-year-old miler.”
Quotes attributable to MRC Executive Director – Racing & Operations, Jake Norton
“We’re excited to strengthen the Club’s partnership with Magic Millions by offering the winner of the Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas a start in the All-Star Mile at Caulfield in March.
“In the 2020 edition of the All-Star Mile at Caulfield, we saw strong participation amongst three-year-olds with five contesting the race and Superstorm placing second.”
Quotes attributable to Magic Millions Managing Director, Barry Bowditch
“The Magic Millions story began with an innovative race concept that has evolved into Queensland’s richest and biggest raceday.
“With the feature Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas increasing to $3 million for the first time this January, we are delighted to have the opportunity to connect the Queensland summer carnival with the innovative $4 million All-Star Mile over Victoria’s autumn.
“We thank Racing Victoria and the Melbourne Racing Club for their foresight in making this partnership possible for an elite Magic Millions graduate to secure a start in the 2024 All-Star Mile at Caulfield.
“This opportunity is exciting for participants and fans and simply great for racing nationally.”
All-Star Mile Win and You’re In Races
The full list of 2024 All-Star Mile ‘Win and You’re In’ races is as follows:
1.
G1 Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) – Caulfield, 18 November 2023 – won by Magic Time
2.
Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) – Gold Coast, 13 January 2024
3.
TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) – Ellerslie, 27 January 2024
4.
Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m, 4YO) – Ellerslie, 27 January 2024
5.
G1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) – Caulfield, 10 February 2024
6.
G1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) – Caulfield, 24 February 2024
7.
G1 Howden Australian Guineas (1600m, 3YO) – Flemington, 2 March 2024
8.
G2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) – Flemington, 2 March 2024
With a maximum field size of 16 in the 2024 All-Star Mile, the balance of the weight-for-age field will be wildcards selected by a RV and MRC panel.