Missile on track for All-Star Mile spot

Star Missile has a big support group hoping to vote him in to the field for the All-Star Mile.

Four-year-old gelding Star Missile is in a good position in early polling for a spot in the rich All-Star Mile at Caulfield.

Voting for this year’s $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) on March 14 opened last week and the Greg Eurell-trained Star Missile, who has a large group of owners in a Hancox Bloodstock syndicate, is currently on top.

Just after 6pm (AEDT) on Tuesday he had 4420 votes while star Queensland three-year-old Alligator Blood was on 4383.

New Zealand’s Horse of the Year Melody Belle was next with 2793.

Eurell has mapped out a likely program for Star Missile heading to the All-Star Mile, given the top 10 vote getters will be offered a spot in the 15-horse field.

Voting runs until February 16.

“He will trial next week at Geelong and have his first run at Flemington on the 15th on February in a 1400-metre open handicap,” Eurell said.

“He’ll then step into either the Shaftesbury Avenue over 1400 metres or the Blamey Stakes at 1600, and then hopefully from there it gives us a couple of weeks to the All-Star Mile.”

Star Missile’s now-retired elder half-brother Urban Ruler, also raced by a Hancox Bloodstock syndicate, earned enough votes to make the field in the inaugural All-Star Mile last year but the grey gelding finished last as a $201 chance.

Star Missile, who is $51 in early betting, has won four of his 13 starts and been placed four times.

Last preparation he won at Sale in country Victoria and took out the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m) at Flemington in November at his two spring starts.

“I think the horse has probably developed and grown a little bit more so I wouldn’t doubt this time that there’s even a bit more improvement in him,” Eurell said.