Godolphin leaning to Flit for Mile berth
Thousand Guineas winner Flit has emerged as Godolphin’s preference for an All-Star Mile start.
Alizee has been promoted into the All-Star Mile field after the withdrawal of New Zealander Catalyst but Godolphin is leaning towards running Alizee’s younger stablemate Flit in the $5 million race at Caulfield.
New Zealand gelding Catalyst was ruled out of Saturday week’s All-Star Mile by his trainer Clayton Chipperfield on Tuesday after veterinary tests detected the three-year-old had bruising to his four fetlocks.
Catalyst had a spot in the All-Star Mile having finished in the top 10 in the public vote.
Having been first emergency on the provisional list of reserves, Alizee has moved up to assume Catalyst’s place in the All-Star Mile field.
Racing Victoria says trainer James Cummings will assess how Alizee comes through Saturday’s Group One Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick, with the All-Star Mile seven days later.
The Godolphin operation has the luxury of having Avilius and Flit as the next two in the list of provisional emergencies, which is based on prize money won since the start of February last year in races between 1200m and 2050m.
“Godolphin is leaning towards running three-year-old filly Flit in the All-Star Mile, however we are going to get through this weekend with three possible candidates before confirming a runner, should they gain their spot,” trainer James Cummings said.
“If Flit runs, Damien Lane will ride.”
Cummings and Godolphin had two runners in the inaugural All-Star Mile last year with Hartnell and Alizee finishing second and third respectively behind Mystic Journey.
Flit won the Thousand Guineas over the Caulfield 1600m last spring and was at $9 on Wednesday for the All-Star Mile.
Australian Guineas winner Alligator Blood is the $2.80 favourite.
While Alizee is among the leading contenders for Saturday’s Group One Canterbury Stakes (1300m) in Sydney, Avilius is the early favourite for Saturday’s Group One Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington.
Flit won the Light Fingers Stakes impressively in the first start of her current campaign before finishing sixth as favourite in last Saturday’s Group One Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.