All Too Hard’s Group 1 ground-breaker Alligator Blood announced he’s on course for the MVRC Cox Plate (Gr.1, 2040m) with an outstanding return to racing at Flemington on Saturday.
Although beaten, he was brave under a beautiful front-running ride by Tim Clark in the VRC Makybe Diva Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) and leads a posse of Vinery-sired gallopers by All Too Hard and Headwater being set for feature wins this spring.
Alligator Blood was racing first-up since a comeback victory in the Stradbroke Hcp (Gr.1, 1400m) at Eagle Farm in June and had the Makybe Diva won everywhere bar the line. He was home-free at the furlong but was cut down late by I’m Thunderstruck (NZ).
“I loved the way he quickened into the straight and let down,” co-trainer Adrian Bott said. “We’re very, very proud of that performance particularly as he ticked the box at weight-for-age. He ran out the mile strongly and can continue stepping up in trip towards the Cox Plate.”
Bott prepares Alligator Blood in partnership with Gai Waterhouse for new majority part-owner Gerry Harvey. He’s likely to clash with I’m Thunderstruck again in the Underwood Stakes (Gr.1, 1800m) at Sandown on Sunday, September 25.
All Too Hard’s multiple Group 1 winner Behemoth will be on trial for another Melbourne campaign in the Wylie Hcp (LR, 1100m) at Morphettville this Saturday. He missed a chance to complete a hat-trick of Group 1 Memsie Stakes wins after blowing the start badly in the Spring Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) on August 13.
Behemoth pulled up with a sore back that day but recovered and subsequently strolled home in a jump-out at Strathalbyn. “We’ve been patient and changed his routine around a little bit,” trainer David Jolly said. “I’m not really expecting him to win the Wylie at the weights but, if he runs well, we’re off to Melbourne.”
Headwater’s Group 2-winning 4yo mare Jamaea has impressed at her two Sydney starts this prep in readiness for some rich targets including the $2million The Invitation (1400m) and $10million Golden Eagle (1500m) in October.
She was runner-up in the Toy Show Quality (Gr.3, 1100m) last month and was only beaten a half-length when fourth in the Theo Marks Stakes (Gr.2, 1300m) on Saturday. “That was massive effort,” jockey Tommy Berry said at Rosehill. “There was a fast tempo early and she had to drag the field up to the leaders. She blew out a little bit late but I’m very proud of her.”
Headwater’s 3yo filly Typhoon Titmus is going the same way as Jamaea in Melbourne for trainers Robbie Griffiths and Matt De Kock. She had won on debut at Pakenham last month and earned her first black-type with an eye-catching third in the VRC Cap D’Antibes Stakes (LR, 1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Typhoon Titmus settled midfield down the straight course but was held up behind the tiring Bubble Palace until sighting clear air at the clock-tower. She flew late to be beaten less than a length in a promising trial for the classics at only her third start. “Matt and I have been delighted the way she’s been working,” Griffiths said. “I trained her mother’s sister Fidelia and she won three races at Flemington so maybe it’s the genetics come through.”
Bred by a Rupert Legh syndicate, Typhoon Titmus holds a Group 1 nomination for the Thousand Guineas (16000m) at Caulfield on October 12.
Tristate is another Headwater with a black-type credit and he’s on the comeback trail after ten months on the sidelines. Racing second-up at Rosehill last Saturday, he kicked clear in the straight and was only nailed late by Team Hawkes stablemates Remarque and Clemenceau.
He had won a Randwick maiden last August and followed up with a placing in the Heritage Stakes (LR, 1100m) at Rosehill. The first two home that day were Home Affairs and Paulele!
“The form out of that race looks good now, doesn’t it?” trainer Anthony Cummings said. “He wasn’t right when I brought him back for the autumn so I gave him another spell. He’s come back ready to go and is in good shape. He’s a nice horse with a good nature and we’ve always thought he might make Stakes-grade galloper.”
Tristate’s dam Jahre (Encosta De Lago) is from the celebrated family of Champion South African mare Laisserfaire and Australian Stakes winners Time Thief, Personify and Foreplay.
Vinery stands All Too Hard for $38,500 and Headwater for $16,500. Both service fees (inc GST). For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
