West Australian trained Material Man and popular Queensland galloper Urban Ruler have been passed fit to take their place in the 2019 $5m All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Urban Ruler, above, has been passed fit to take his place in the 2019 All-Star Mile at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Urban Ruler, above, has been passed fit to take his place in the 2019 All-Star Mile at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Material Man and Urban Ruler were both found to be lame when inspected by Racing Victoria vets on Thursday but were passed fit following a second viewing on Friday morning.

Both horses were suffering from hoof soreness but Racing Victoria tweeted that Material Man and Urban Ruler were free in their action this morning and will race with bar plates on front.

Material Man will be fitted with a bar plate on his near fore hoof while Urban Ruler will wear the bar plates on both front feet and both gallopers will have a final vet’s examination when they arrive on course at Flemington tomorrow.

“Material Man & Urban Ruler both passed fit to contest the All-Star Mile (Flemington R8 16/3) after re-examination by vets today. Both to be re-examined on-course tomorrow as a precaution. Bar plates approved for both: Material Man (left fore), Urban Ruler (left & right fore)”, Racing Victoria tweeted.

The Justin Warwick trained Material Man will be ridden by his daughter Lucy Warwick, will jump from barrier nine in the final fourteen horse All-Star Mile field and is marked at $31 at Ladbrokes.com.au while Urban Ruler is one of the outsiders of the field at $201.

Jamie Mott rides the Chris Munce trained Urban Ruler who will jump from barrier seven.

Hancox Racing Syndicate manager Shelley Hancox said that x-rays of Urban Ruler’s front joints had come up clear and he was diagnosed to have a bruised heel.

‘’We actually had his joints X-rayed yesterday to make sure as there is nothing there and his joints are as clean as they can be,’’ Hancox told racing.com.

‘’He has a slightly bruised heel, which could have been stirred up by a long float trip.’’

The James Cummings trained Alizee has a narrow hold on favouritism at $3.90 just ahead of Tassie filly Mystic Journey at $4 with Happy Clapper also well in the market at $4.50.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.