All-Star Mile contender Urban Ruler could have two starts before the $5 million race at Flemington here he will be Queensland's lone representative.
He runs in Saturday's Class Six Plate (1600m) at Doomben and trainer Chris Munce expects Urban Ruler to show improvement on his most recent start at Doomben where he was unplaced and finished eight lengths from the winner.
The gelding is raced by a Shelley Hancox syndicate with 800 members who got behind the vote for the inaugural All-Star Mile on March 16 with 10 of the 14 runners chosen by the public.
Despite Urban Ruler polling second with 8428 votes, some corporate bookmakers have indicated he could start as much as $501 but Munce believes he is a much better chance than that.
“He has won at Flemington and the 1600 metres suits. We are not getting carried away but you get $90,000 for running 14th so why not run,” Munce said.
“I expect him to go better on Saturday and we might even give him another run before the Mile. I will see after Saturday.”
Munce said Urban Ruler had not liked being cluttered up inside horses at his last run and would be better placed at Eagle Farm.
Urban Ruler won six races when trained in Victoria by Greg Eurell and has had two thirds from three starts since joining Munce.
Cups Betting has all the latest horse racing news and betting bonuses.