Alligator Blood has thrown down the gauntlet to Australia’s elite weight-for-age stars with a courageous all-the-way victory in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Sandown.
The 6yo son of Vinery sire All Too Hard has answered every call during a challenging career and was back in his element at the business end of an epic encounter on Sunday. He was under siege in the straight but kept lifting to see off Mo’unga (NZ), Zaaki (GB) and I’m Thunderstruck (NZ).
Ladbrokes reacted by firming Alligator Blood into a $7 second favourite behind Anamoe ($3.30) for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22.
“He was in a nice rhythm in front and seemed to be doing it well within himself,” jockey Tim Clark said. “Zaaki eyeballed him but my bloke had a bit to offer when we got to the bottom of the dip. He was brave and I was always confident he was going to be hard to beat. All the big guns were here bar Anamoe. Bring on the Cox Plate.”
Alligator Blood won his first Group 1 in the 2020 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington and trainers Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott rejuvenated him from major back surgery for a comeback Group 1 in the Stradbroke Hcp (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June.
The Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 8 will be his final dress-rehearsal for the Cox Plate. ” I love the way he responded and kept fighting against a quality field,” Bott said. “It was a testing track here today and I expect him to keep finding under pressure over a bit further as well.”
Alligator Blood was bred and sold by Baramul Stud for $55,000 at the 2018 Gold Coast Magic Millions and Baramul owner Gerry Harvey bought a majority share recently in partnership with Jeff and Robyn Simpson.
Sunday’s result improved his record to 11 wins in 23 starts for earnings of $3.61million. It also sent him above Behemoth as All Too Hard’s chief-earner in Australia.
“Alligator Blood has obviously had a colourful career and we feel privileged that Mr Harvey entrusted us to train him,” Bott added. “He continues to improve – we saw that during the week – and he was able to maintain those sectionals at a high cruising-speed today.”
All Too Hard sired him from Lake Superior (Encosta De Lago) whose close relation Typhoon Tracy was voted 2010 Australian Horse of the Year. Her sire Red Ransom (USA) was Vinery’s foundation stallion in Australia.
Vinery stands All Too Hard for $38,500 (inc GST). For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
