The Lindsay Park-trained Fifty Stars celebrated back-to-back wins in Flemington’s Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) on Australian Guineas Day earning a ballot free ride into the $5 million The All-Star Mile next month at Caulfield.

Dual Blamey Stakes winner Fifty Stars has earned a ballot exemption into the $5 million The All-Star Mile. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Co-trainer and Hall of Famer David Hayes has plenty to consider over the coming few days as the team weigh up whether to accept the ‘win and you’re in’ ticket that has Fifty Stars qualified for the 2002 The All-Star Mile on March 14.

Improving on a first-up fourth when narrowly beaten at a huge price in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m), the Sea The Stars entire added to his strong second-up record relishing step up in distance but step back in grade for the Blamey Stakes at HQ.

Last Melbourne Festival of Racing the Irish-bred galloper won the Blamey Stakes after a lead-up 11^th in the CF Orr and 12 months on he became the first dual winner of the Group 2 since Durbridge (1994-95).

“To Blameys in a row’s a great effort,” Hayes said.

Jockey Craig Williams celebrated his fourth Blamey Stakes victory on this year’s $2.80 favourite, doing plenty of work to guide a coltish Fifty Stars first past the post one and a half lengths ahead of Secret Blaze ($21) with Admiral’s Joker ($6) in third.

“He’s a colt and he’s got a nice profile for today’s race, he’s got a beautiful pedigree,” Williams said post-win.

“He was a bit grumpy in the gates today and subsequently came out very awkward.

“He took a lot of coaxing and encouragement to get him over the line today.

“He took a bit of motivation…but he’s a cracking type and if he wins a Group 1 no doubt he’ll make a great father.”

Williams had Fifty Stars posted three wide with no cover early towards the tail end of the field as So Si Bon led them around.

Still second last at the 600m, Fifty Stars had work to do on the home straight but was able to get just enough cover as the others moved off the fence, travelling well.

Winding-up over the closing stages, the reigning champion took the lead at the 100m moving past the brave Sizzling four-year-old Secret Blaze giving a good kick to book his spot in the All-Star Mile field.

Hayes has far from confirmed the horse for the Caulfield feature however saying a quick back-up into the Group 1 $1.5 million Australian Cup (2000m) on ‘Super Saturday’s next weekend will also be considered for Fifty Stars.

“We’ve got a lot of thinking to do in the next 24 hours,” Hayes admitted.

“I thought that was pretty impressive. I thought his last 600m was as good as anything in the (Australian) Guineas.

“It (The All-Star Mile) might make him a stallion winning that race anyway in years to come.

“He is better at Flemington so he is back to the Australian Cup aren’t we?!”

Fifty Stars has firmed in from $34 to $16 in The All-Star Mile 2020 odds at Ladbrokes.com.au led by the Australian Guineas winner Alligator Blood ($3).

Punters can also get $14 all-in Australian Cup 2020 odds on Fifty Stars to win back at HQ on successive Saturdays.

Click here for the latest 2020 All-Star Mile betting markets courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 Blamey Stakes Results