Grand Syndicates racing manager Sam Lyons knew he had to come up with something from left field to gather All-Star Mile votes for Man Of His Word.

And what better way than to tell its database of 1000 owners that if they voted for the six-year-old, they could be a part-owner on the day?

Lyons said he rang the 20 owners of Man Of His Word, who each have five per cent, and asked if they were prepared to give up something to get the gelding into the field.

“They said yes to each giving up a half a per cent of him on the day,” he said.

“As a result, two people who voted for him can be owner on the day for the All-Star Mile. In essence we will have 22 owners of the horse, with each owning 4.5 per cent.”

The scheme worked to a tee and Man Of His Word has been one of the leaders since voting opened. On Tuesday he was fifth and received the 100,000th vote.

Lyons said Man Of His Word needed a few hundred more votes to secure a top-10 place and a start in the $5m race at Flemington on March 16. He said he had a couple more ideas for the last few days of voting.

Lyons and Mornington trainer Dean Krongold are hoping Man Of His Word will attract outside votes when he runs at Flemington on Saturday in the 1200m Benchmark 90 Handicap.

Man Of His Word sold for $10,000 as a yearling, which would be the cheapest of any likely All-Star Mile runners

“He’s a stakeswinner over a mile,” Lyons said. “He was Group 2-placed in the Hollindale Stakes last year behind Oregon’s Day and Tom Melbourne. On his best he’d be somewhat competitive. We think he’s the horse representing the underdogs.”

Krongold said Man Of His Word didn’t acclimatise during the spring after being transferred from Gold Coast trainer Bruce Hill but was in much better shape this time in.

“He’s 100 per cent better,” he said. “I was really happy with his trial and his work has been great. I think he’ll be hitting the line strongly over 1200m.'”

ALL-STAR MILE LEADERBOARD

The Autumn Sun (8193 votes)

Urban Ruler 8003

Grunt 5153

Moss ‘n’ Dale 3986

Man Of His Word 3874

Foundry 3845

Mr Money Bags 3760

Material Man 3673

Amphitrite 3641

Extra Brut 3603