The fourth edition of the All-Star Mile returns to Flemington on 19 March and 77 horses have been nominated for the $5 million event after initial nominations closed on Monday.

22 entries have earned more than $1 million in prizemoney already and among them 20 Group 1 winners.

They can still be joined by late nominations when that window closes on 17 January.

Chris Waller leads the charge with 15 nominations including 2020 Group 1 Caulfield Cup and 2021 Group 1 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant headlining his team.

Should she start, it will be the first time that the six-year-old mare has raced over 1600 metres at Flemington since her third placing in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes in October 2018.

Espiona was a stand-out six-length winner of the Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival and can raise the stakes again in the All-Star Mile.

Annabel Neasham has nominated Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) winner Zaaki for the race where the field is decided by public popular vote.

Also among the nominations, should Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace send Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Hitotsu back to Flemington in March then punters could have the question answered sooner than expected over whether the three-year-old colt by Maurice is just as effective over 1600 metres.

Voting for the 2022 All-Star Mile opens on 24 January and closes on Sunday 13 February with the top ten horses making the field together with another five other runners allocated wildcards plus four emergencies.