Punters are gravitating toward Ciaron Maher’s extraordinary speedster, Pride Of Jenni, as she attempts to reclaim her throne in the 2026 All-Star Mile this Saturday at Flemington.
Pride Of Jenni is tipped to go all-the-way in the 2026 All-Star Mile at Flemington. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Headquarters hosts a double-feature of elite racing this weekend, with the straight-track specialists contesting the Newmarket Handicap and the middle-distance stars clashing in the star-studded Group 1 $2 million The All-Star Mile (1600m).
The eight-year-old daughter of Pride Of Dubai, who famously captured this event at Caulfield in 2024, is currently the market elect at $4.40 via Ladbrokes as she attempts to win the trophy for a second time while resuming from a spell.
Historic Pursuit: Pride Of Jenni is the favourite to become the first two-time winner in the history of The All-Star Mile.
Last seen during the Melbourne Cup Carnival where she secured the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes over this track and trip, the veteran mare is looking to bounce back from a disappointing eighth in the Champions Mile, where a rain-affected Heavy track hampered her performance.
She appears to have retained her competitive fire, most recently taking out a Cranbourne jump-out over Philia on February 23.
Regular jockey Declan Bates is expected to utilise barrier two to employ her trademark aggressive tactics.
Her ability to sustain that high-octane tempo as a rising nine-year-old will determine if the field can prevent her from making history.
The primary threat according to All-Star Mile betting is the Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment, who follows closely in the market at $4.80.
Jumping from gate nine with Ben Melham in the irons, the Alabama Express four-year-old is looking for redemption after finishing third as a beaten favourite in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Despite jumping at odds-on that day, she was resilient, finishing only 0.75 lengths behind Pericles.
Boasting a formidable second-up record (4:3-1-0), she returns to a Flemington circuit where she has won three of her four starts.
A four-time Group 1 winner, she previously finished second to Pride Of Jenni in the Feehan Stakes and is poised to challenge for the top spot.
This year’s edition remains highly competitive, with defending champion Tom Kitten ($6) also under double-figure odds.
The Godolphin-owned son of Harry Angel regained his winning form first-up in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan on February 7.
To maintain his fitness for his title defense, Tom Kitten recently won a trial at The Heath.
In his resumption, he showed a sharp turn of foot to overhaul Feroce, clocking sectional times that suggest he is back to his peak.
Jockey Craig Williams is expected to settle him off the high tempo set by Pride Of Jenni, relying on the horse’s versatility to pounce late.
Other leading contenders include Bjorn Baker’s classy mare Stefi Magnetica ($7) and the Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo ($8.50), who has seen significant market interest.
Hugh Bowman is back in Melbourne to ride Stefi Magnetica from barrier four.
The mare comes through a fifth-place finish behind the undefeated Autumn Glow in Sydney’s Apollo Stakes.
Meanwhile, Buckaroo is Waller’s best chance to secure his first All-Star Mile following a strong second in the Futurity Stakes.
While the Fastnet Rock seven-year-old hasn’t won since the 2024 Underwood Stakes, his spring was defined by elite consistency, including a narrow second in the Cox Plate.
The field is rounded out by several high-priced value chances, including the Tony Gollan-trained Antino ($12) from the inside rail, Lindsay Park’s consistent four-year-old Evaporate ($13), and Waller’s smart mare Leica Lucy ($14).
The 2026 All-Star Mile is scheduled as Race 7 at 3:40pm (AEDT) during Saturday’s ten-race program at Flemington.
2026 The All-Star Mile Field & Barriers
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Barrier | Weight | Age | Sex | Last Starts | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Kitten | Craig Williams | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 7 | 59kg | 5 | G | 453×1 | $5,903,150 |
| 2 | Buckaroo | Mark Zahra | Chris Waller | 6 | 59kg | 7 | G | 320×2 | $3,700,129 |
| 3 | Antino | Jamie Melham | Tony Gollan | 1 | 59kg | 7 | G | 428×8 | $3,400,065 |
| 4 | Evaporate | Luke Currie | Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | 8 | 59kg | 4 | G | 233×4 | $2,748,225 |
| 5 | Steparty | John Allen | Paul Preusker | 11 | 59kg | 5 | G | 77211 | $1,826,465 |
| 6 | Watch Me Rock | William Pike | Mark Walker | 5 | 59kg | 5 | G | 112×6 | $1,684,020 |
| 7 | Sabaj | Beau Mertens | Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | 3 | 59kg | 4 | G | 110×2 | $581,645 |
| 8 | Pride Of Jenni | Declan Bates | Ciaron Maher | 2 | 57kg | 8 | M | 1718x | $11,481,185 |
| 9 | Stefi Magnetica | Hugh Bowman | Bjorn Baker | 4 | 57kg | 5 | M | 413×5 | $7,301,750 |
| 10 | Treasurethe Moment | Ben Melham | Matt Laurie | 9 | 57kg | 4 | M | 234×3 | $3,910,962 |
| 11 | Leica Lucy | Jye Mcneil | Chris Waller | 10 | 57kg | 4 | M | 432×5 | $1,184,684 |
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