All Too Hard warrior Alligator Blood revived memories of Northerly with back-to-back victories in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Northerly claimed his first Underwood in 2001 and followed up with a Group 1 Cox Plate win for the ages over Sunline at Moonee Valley. Damien Oliver rode the Fighting Tiger that day and he was aboard Alligator Blood who was saluting for a sixth time at the elite level.
“He’s tough and resilient and is right up there with the best of them,” Oliver declared. “He can never be underestimated because he’s going to give his best every time.”
Oliver made a split-second decision to alter riding instructions from co-trainer Gai Waterhouse when Alligator Blood wasn’t as sharp as usual from the gates. “Gai was adamant we had to lead but I was forced to wait when a few others crossed him. I held my nerve and was then able to improve and sit outside the leader (Alenquer) when they settled. We had to take it up a fair way out but he was in a lovely rhythm and held them off quite strongly.”
Alligator Blood defeated Mo’unga (NZ) and Zaaki (GB) in the 2022 Underwood before finishing a brave fifth on a Heavy 8 in last year’s Cox Plate. “It’s great that there are so many people here to see Alligator Blood deliver today,” Gai said. “I would love to win a Cox Plate with him.”
The Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 7 will be his dress-rehearsal for Australia’s WFA Championship at Moonee Valley on October 28.
Waterhouse has come close with Juggler who was beaten a half-length when fourth in a blanket-finish behind Saintly in 1996. And she struck another special winner in 2005 when her mare Lotteria beat all bar Makybe Diva.
All Too Hard was also runner-up in the 2012 Cox Plate in rare loss during a 3yo campaign that harvested Group 1 victories in the Caulfield Guineas, Orr Stakes, Futurity Stakes and All-Aged Stakes before retiring to Vinery Stud.
Gerry Harvey bred Alligator Blood at Baramul Stud and races him in partnership with Jeff and Robyn Simpson. He’s the final foal out of Encosta de Lago mare Lake Superior who is a descendant of Irish-bred blue-hen Princess Tracy (Ahonoora).
There are 11 All Too Hard colts catalogued for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale at Riverside Stables on Tuesday, October 10. Among them is the colt being prepped by Darrell Burnet at DSB Thoroughbreds from Encosta de Lago mare Tangerine (Lot 212).
Vinery stands All Too Hard for a $38,500 (inc GST) service fee payable on a live foal. For bookings or further information, contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
