Grunt is set to become the third Group 1 winner to contest next year’s $5 million All-Star Mile on March 16.
Having won the Australian Guineas (1600m) and the Makaybe Diva Stakes (1600m) earlier this year, Grunt returns to the famous Flemington track with plenty of success to his name alongside the two other early nominees – Happy Clapper and Foundry.
Grunt scored his second Group 1 win with an impressive performance in the Makybe Diva Stakes in September. Photo by: Jenny Barnes
Mick Price’s lightly raced four-year-old has enjoyed just 10 starts in his two year career, and after already earning well over $1 million in prizemoney, the champion trainer always knew Grunt would be a perfect fit for the world’s richest mile race.
“The All-Star Mile is tailor-made for him,” Price told Racing Victoria.
“His record over a mile at Flemington is outstanding, so there was never any doubt that we would be entering him for the race. Obviously the prizemoney is very attractive, but I also think it’s a great concept so I’m all for it.”
Nominations close on January 15, but there is one unique feature to Racing Victoria’s newest feature race – the fans can vote.
Between January 21 to February 18 racing fans can select their choice from the nominations with the Top 10 vote-getters through to the final field. Racing Victoria will then select four wild cards before March 4.
“Maybe we’ll just have to start a campaign that if you vote for Grunt, you can come to the stable and give him a pat!” Price went on to say.
Grunt has opened on the third line of betting with Ladbrokes at $15.00 behind second-elect The Autumn Sun ($7) and short-priced favourite Winx ($1.75).
Full All-Star Mile Odds can be seen below.
