All-Star Mile Tips - Mr Brightside to edge them out in what shapes as a thrilling All-Star Mile

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A field of just seven runners will line up in the All-Star Mile and it is Mr Brightside that just shades Another Wil for favouritism, while Tom Kitten is just behind that duo. 

Three of the seven runners had their most recent start in the Futurity Stakes (1400m) and it was Mr Brightside that just held on from a fast finishing Tom Kitten, going 11 lengths faster than standard benchmark, which is the best last start figure of any runner. Light Infantry Man was 6th in the Futurity. 

Another Wil comes in with a month in between runs and was able to edge out Mr Brightside when first up in the Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, going 11 lengths faster than standard. That pair meet again, this time over the 1600m. Another Will is three from six at the distance and one from one at the track and trip. Mr Brightside is 12 from 20 over the mile and four from nine at the Flemington 1600m. 

Atishu is a quality galloper that should improve second up. She was never in the hunt when 7th behind Fangirl recentluy in the Apollo Stakes. The Waller mare probably needs further and another run or two but has won two of her past three over the Flemington 1600m, including one at Group 1 level. 

Rise At Dawn faces his acid test but is on the up and was strong when resuming with a win over the 1400m at Flemington last month. He is a sneaky contender. Flying Trapeze is set to line up at cricket score odds. 

I suspect that Rise At Dawn will take up the running, while Mr Brightside will push up from barrier 5 to sit just outside his stablemate. Another Wil draws barrier 1 and will sit leaders back with Light Infantry Man to his outside. Flying Trapeze, Atishu and Tom Kitten will settle second half. 

Tough race and very hard to split the first three in the market, while I think that Rise Of Dawn can run a very cheeky race. He is my value selection. Of the top three in the market, it is really hard to go past Mr Brightside. He was beaten by Another Wil when resuming, while Tom Kitten only needed another stride or two last time at Caulfield. I think this will turn out to be a dogfight and given the fact Mr Brightside has had two runs, while the other two have had one, I think this is a big advantage. His last two starts over the Flemington 1600m have seen him take out the Champions Mile and the Makybe Diva Stakes. The seven-year-old wont have to work as hard early on this time around than what he has had to in his two starts so far this preparation because of the better barrier and the small field. 

Rise At Dawn represents a bit of X-factor for mine. He has an excellent record at Flemington over the 1600m in weaker grade but his figures from those runs have been very promising, going at least nine lengths faster than standard benchmark in all of those. The four-year-old has been able to sustain a high cruising speed and has had plenty left in the tank. That first up run should polish him off nicely and he might just take a bit of catching.