Alligator Blood has pulled up perfectly following his superb first-up victory in Brisbane and will have a week off before returning to work with trainer David Vandyke.
The All Too Hard 3yo was a class above his rivals at Doomben on Saturday. He cruised home by three lengths in a performance that ticked the first box for an ambitious classic campaign in the southern states.
“He’s in great shape and has gone up to John Robbins at Pine View Lodge,” Vandyke’s partner and stable foreperson Emma Lehmann said on Monday. “He was educated and pre-trained by John and will be back next week to prepare for a second-up run later this month.”
Alligator Blood won both starts as a 2yo last season before maintaining his unbeaten record in the AQWA Construction Hcp (1200m). “He’s an exciting young horse and will be something else once he matures,” Vandyke said. “When he hit the lead today, I was hoping it wasn’t too soon as he was just as likely to want to play.
“He’s entered for races like the Golden Rose (Gr.1) in Sydney and Caulfield Guineas (Gr.1) in Melbourne but I want to have a good look at the calendars before making a final decision on which way to go.
“He had a good, long break before coming back for this prep and that should be a major benefit this season.”
All Too Hard won the 2012 Caulfield Guineas before retiring to Vinery Stud. He sired Alligator Blood from Baramul Stud mare Lake Superior (Encosta De Lago) who is closely related to 2010 Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom).
Vinery stands All Too Hard for a $27,500 service fee alongside More Than Ready ($55,000), Star Turn ($22,000), Headwater ($16,500), Press Statement ($16,500), Pluck ($6,600) & Casino Prince ($6,600).
