Alligator Blood has defied a wide draw to cap a momentous season for his sire All Too Hard in the $1.5million Stradbroke Hcp (Gr.1, 1400m) at Eagle Farm.
The Vinery champion is at the cutting-edge among our elite-level stallions. Saturday’s win was his fourth individual Group 1 in the last twelve months following Behemoth, Forbidden Love and Wellington.
Alligator Blood claimed All Too Hard’s first Group 1 in the 2020 VRC Australian Guineas but his career reached the crossroads later that year when he was diagnosed with kissing-spine disease. Following major surgery, he was restricted to just one start in the next 14 months while changing stables three times.
He emerged with a call to arms performance for new trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in Queensland’s signature sprint.
“It’s incredible. Alligator Blood is back to his best,” stable spokesman Neil Paine exclaimed. “His problems have been well-documented but he doesn’t know anything about all the controversy. He’s a happy horse and so are the staff who have worked overtime to get him right.
“It’s Gai’s 150th Group 1 and her first Stradbroke.”
Winning jockey Tim Clark elected to slide across from barrier 17 and was well-placed with cover at the half-mile. “He began well but it was a quick tempo and I didn’t want to get into a speed battle and have nothing left at the finish. I got on the back of Ayrton and could afford to be patient.”
“He moved through the gears and produced a tremendous turn of foot coming off the corner. It was a very special win.”
Alligator Blood will spell and return to Melbourne for a spring carnival campaign. He was bred and sold by Baramul Stud to Allan Endresz for $55,000 at the 2018 Gold Coast Magic Millions. Saturday’s result improved his record to 10 wins in 20 starts for earnings over $2.8million.
He’s the final foal of Lake Superior (Encosta De Lago) whose close relation Typhoon Tracy was voted Australian Horse of the Year in 2010. Her sire Red Ransom (USA) was Vinery’s foundation stallion in Australia.
All Too Hard sired his fifth Hong Kong winner in the last month on Sunday when Keefy showed a decent turn of foot to kick clear of his rivals in the Needle Hill Hcp (1400m) at Sha Tin. Jockey Joao Moreira managed to get a good position from a wide draw on the improving 3yo who raced away to score by more than two lengths.
“He did a good job,” trainer Frankie Lor said. “First start this season over 1200m he finished fourth, last start he was second and this time he wins. There is still more improvement and now he will go up to Class Two. I hope next season to see him in the Four Year-Old Series.”
Keefy sold for $105,000 from Vinery (as agent) at the 2020 Inglis Classic Sale. His dam Urban Rocker (Fastnet Rock) won in Sydney for Chris Waller and is now based in New Zealand with Scott Williams (Bloodstock Resources).
All Too Hard is a Top 10 Australian stallion for winners (116), wins (194) and prizemoney ($9.98m) this season. He stands for a $38,500 (inc GST) service fee at Vinery. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
