Trainers Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock achieved one of their autumn goals with King Magnus making the field for the $5 million All-Star Mile.

With that goal achieved, the pressure was off having to win their way into the All-Star Mile via victory in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.

King Magnus was luckily one of 10 ‘fan-votes’ and de Kock concedes the presence of Zaaki in Saturday’s race would have made for a difficult assignment if he was forced to win his way into the All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 19.

“The ownership group did a lot of the hard work and were really motivated to get him into the All-Star Mile,” de Kock said.

“It was all more down to them, and we didn’t have to do much, so all we’ve had to do is just prepare him for the race.

“But to be fair he has a pretty big following as he’s such a courageous horse.”

King Magnus showed continued improvement throughout his campaign last year which saw him win twice at Caulfield, place at that track in Group 3 company and finish fifth in the Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.

He then went on to claim his hometown Cup, the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) which had connections eyeing off a spot in the All-Star Mile.

King Magnus made his autumn return at Flemington on February 19, finishing seventh, in the Listed Elms Handicap (1400m) on February 19, beaten just under 2-½ lengths.

“He will have made natural improvement,” de Kock said of that first-up run.

“We were very happy with him first-up and he attacked the line well. Stepping up to the mile will really suit him and this race will top him off nicely for the All-Star Mile.

“But you have to be realistic as Zaaki is in the race, so it’s going to be tough to beat a horse like that, but I’m expecting a bold showing from him all the same.”