Money-making horse to compete in All-Star Mile

CHESTNUT gelding Mr Money Bags has made the cut for the All-Star Mile by the skin of his teeth, voted in at the lucky last 10th spot in the world’s richest horse race.

Torquay local Simon McCarty purchased shares in the four-year-old winning horse in 2016 with his late father and said he’s over the moon Mr Money Bags made it over the line.

“We just snuck in at 10th spot and we are over the moon with it. It was very tight with only a few hundred votes separating the fifth and 10th horse,” he said.

“It’s been a great initiative from Racing Victoria that has given owners a chance to be involved in a race of this calibre. We are very thankful for the support from the local community.”

Voters from across the nation selected 10 out of the 14 horses to compete in an Australian first concept, with the remaining four horses to be determined by Racing Victoria using a wildcard pool.

Having voted for Mr Money Bags to compete in the inaugural All-Star Mile, Ashlee Hammond (Flemington) was selected at random as the horse’s owner ambassador.

“I unfortunately don’t know Ashlee, but she has won a guaranteed $10k and will win $250,000 if Mr Money Bags can win,” Mr McCarty said.

Mr Money Bags will race against fellow vote winners Balf’s Choice (SA), Urban Ruler (QLD), Grunt (VIC), Alizee (NSW), Amphitrite (VIC), Foundry (VIC), Material Man (WA), Man of his Word (VIC) and Moss ‘n’ Dale (VIC) on March 16 at Flemington. He will also race against Happy Clapper, who has been given a wildcard entry, with the other three wildcards yet to be allocated.