Alligator Blood continues to firm for the Group 1 MVRC W S Cox Plate (2040m) while some of the other favoured runners have gone missing or eased in pre-post markets.
All Too Hard’s weight-for-age champion has been backed from $18 into a $6 second-favourite following commanding Group 1 victories in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) and Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
Alligator Blood notched his seventh elite-level win in the Might And Power on Saturday after tracking tearaway Deny Knowledge (Ire) and then putting the race to bed with a devastating turn of foot off the corner for Tim Clark.
Racing well within himself from the furlong, the margin was reduced to two lengths at the finish from 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War). “He’s better-equipped for the Cox Plate than last year,” Clark said referred to his two-length fifth behind Anamoe in 2022.
“He’s more seasoned at weight-for-age and today’s prep run over 2000m will hold him in good stead in a fortnight. He’s a wonderful horse and they don’t come along very often. He was happy in a rhythm and was really strong again today.”
Alligator Blood (7g All Too Hard – Lake Superior by Encosta De Lago) has notched six of his seven Group 1 wins since transferring to trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. “He rolls up his sleeves and gets on with the job,” Waterhouse said. “He’s so tough and so special. We’re very privileged and we love him.
“Tim knows him backwards and when it was time to go, it was ‘See you later Alligator’.”
Bred by Baramul Stud’s Gerry Harvey and raced in partnership with Jeff and Robyn Simpson, his record now stands at 15 wins in 33 starts for earnings over $7.48million. Vinery stallion All Too Hard sits in the Australian Top 10 this season and will rise up the premiership table if his flag-bearer wins the $5million Cox Plate on October 28.
Far Too East also banked $200,000 for All Too Hard and owner-trainer David McColm when flying home for third in the $2million Kosciuszko (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. “He’s run enormous,” jockey James Orman declared. “I got on the back of Derry Grove but the track might have been a bit firm for him.”
All Too Hard’s latest maiden winner Losesomewinmore is destined for an off-shore career following an authoritative victory in the Adelaide Galvanising Industry Plate (1200m) at Morphettville. Saturday’s result was never in doubt after a narrow defeat on debut.
Losesomewinmore (4g All Too Hard – Raischek by Mossman) was bred by Vinery partner Alan Green and is raced by Hong Kong-based agent David Price. His dam is a sister to Adelaide Group 1 sprinter Stirling Grove and second-dam Kalamata (Desert Prince) was a Stakes winner in New Zealand
“He was injured and sidelined for twelve months as a younger horse,” co-trainer Chantelle Jolly revealed. “We’ve been patient and he’s sound now so hopefully we can win a few more races for David before he goes to Hong Kong.”
All Too Hard’s Champion Hong Kong Sprinter Wellington returned to action on Friday after a frustrating trip to Royal Ascot in June. He won a 1000m barrier trial at Conghua by over a length after a slow getaway for regular jockey Alexis Badel and new trainer Jamie Richards.
Vinery stands All Too Hard for $38,500 (inc GST) payable on a live foal. For bookings or further information, contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
