Vinery sire All Too Hard signed off 2018 with eye-catching 2yo winner Alligator Blood and he was back in the New Year with another brilliant youngster named Better Harden Up.
Alligator Blood (2g All Too Hard – Lake Superior by Encosta De Lago) swamped a Sunshine Coast juvenile field on December 30 after spotting the leaders 10 lengths into the straight. He reeled them in with a stunning debut for Ezy Racing and trainer David Vandyke.
Baramul Stud bred and sold him for $55,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions. Better Harden Up had changed hands a day earlier on the Gold Coast when Blueblood Thoroughbreds bid $65,000.
Champion trainer Darren Weir will consider a Group 1 assignment for Better Harden Up in the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. “Why not have a shot at the stumps?” stable spokesman Brady Cross said after the debutante produced a powerful finish at Geelong on January 3. “That was a convincing win and she will improve with racing.”
Better Harden Up (2f All Too Hard – Yalatif by Hussonet) faced a city-class field at Geelong to defeat Favourite Things (Lindsay Park) and La Tene (Godolphin). “She has shown ability at home and got into a good rhythm today,” Cross added. “She rolled about in the straight but knuckled down and found the line.”
All Too Hard has 29 yearlings catalogued for the Gold Coast Magic Millions including Baramul Stud’s Exosphere half-sister to Better Harden Up (Lot 299). “He’s very consistent and is a leading stallion by winners,” Vinery bloodstock manager Adam White said. “He does need a star but has got the numbers coming through to unearth one.”
