Photo: Bruno Cannatelli
Nugget looks to be promoting the All-Star Mile soon at Sandown
Australia’s Bloodstock won’t miss any stones in this year’s quest to bring Nugget All-Star Mile.
Service providers are encouraging fans of gelding to vote him for the 1600 meter weight-for-age event in Moonee Valley on March 18, but will also give him a chance to win a spot in the field, starting with Group 1 worth $750,000 this Saturday Orr Share (1400m) at Sandown.
All-Star Mile voting opened on Monday, and while Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett said the $5 million event was the main goal of Nugget’s fall, winning first place was the goal. Firstly.
“We had two horses that we thought were clearly All-Star Miles and neither of them were voted on,” Lovett said.
“It’s Mugatoo and the Highest Rank. Mugatoo won the race and the Top Ranker won an Epsom and neither of them could be voted on. Mugatoo has a wildcard and the other horse completely misses.
“He probably has to win one of these Group 1s to put himself in there for people to vote for him because he doesn’t have the record to get the wildcard yet.”
The 10 horses that attract the most votes from the public make up the majority All-Star Mile . School with three wildcard runners to be selected by Racing Victoria and another two wildcards allocated to Future Stakes and Blame Stakes winners.
Siyouni’s six-year-old son Nugget made his first 11 starts in the UK but was quickly adored by Australian puns, claiming the last three as favorites cheap after one Melbourne Cup Day second place at Flemington on its Australian debut.
He hasn’t started since winning the Listed Lord Stakes (1700m) at Sandown on Gift Day but has stylishly trained at home in light riding to be narrowly beaten in the jump 1000m away at Cranbourne last Monday.
“He had a super test the day before,” Lovett said.
“I’d say he’s going to CF Orr and that will tell us what position he’s suitable for.
“If I think he’s the horse, he’d be very effective in Orr at seven (stretch) and then he could go up to Futurity and into the All-Star Mile.”
Nugget was one of 16 entries into Orr Staking with Group 1 winners I’m Thunderstruck, Mr Brightside, Tuvalu, Jacquinot, Fangirl and sheet cox placegetter El Bodegon among his potential competitors in Australia’s first Group 1 race of the year.
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