Written by Paul Vettise
Those closest to the gifted 3-year-old Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) believe he has made significant improvement since making his mark at Group 1 level during the Melbourne spring carnival.
Trainer David Vandyke and regular rider Ryan Maloney voiced those comments after the exciting gelding had trounced his rivals when opening his summer campaign in the Listed Pages Gold Edition Plate.
Alligator Blood was untested to win his first five starts before he finished runner-up to Super Seth (Dundeel {NZ}) in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and then returned to Queensland for a break.
He jogged home in an open trial on his home track at the Sunshine Coast last month and Vandyke had him ready to roll on Saturday. He sat in behind the pace and hit the front 300 metres from home before coasting to victory.
“Coming into this race I thought he had improved since his last preparation. He was a happy and relaxed horse and when Ryan brought him to the outside he worked to the line,” Vandyke said.
“Coming into this race I thought he had improved since his last preparation.” – David Vandyke
“Ryan had an absolute lap full just when they straightened. He was very tradesmanlike and I can’t wait for the 1400 metres at the Gold Coast. He enjoys his work and he’s a beautiful animal. "
Vandyke was referring to the $2 million Magic Millions and he has yet to decide if Alligator Blood will be seen again before the January 11 feature.
Ryan Maloney and David Vandyke
"I think that showed he is a better horse now. He was happy to sit off the pace and happy to be relaxed. He really came into the race quickly from the 600 to the 400 metre mark.
"His pre-race behaviour has been the best it has been. So it was pleasing all around. The main agenda is the Guineas and we’ll see how he recovers from this first. I’ll make the call whether he runs again in the G3 Vo Rogue in 10 days or so.”
Maloney confirmed Alligator Blood’s facile victory was indeed as easy as it looked.
“He makes me look so good and he switched off beautifully. I was within striking distance at the 400 and he did the rest,” he said.
“He makes me look so good and he switched off beautifully. I was within striking distance at the 400 and he did the rest.” – Ryan Maloney
“The thing about him is that he has just improved since he was second in the Caulfield Guineas. He’s the perfect racehorse.”
Bred by Gerry Harvey, Alligator Blood was offered by his Baramul Stud and was a $55,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase.
He is out of the unraced Fastnet Rock mare Lake Superior, who is a half-sister to the Listed Christmas Cup winner Cantonese (Redoute’s Choice).
Their dam is the winner and two-time Group 1 placegetter Kylikwong (Red Ransom {USA}) and the family of the six-time Group 1 winner Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom {USA}).
