By Glenn Davis
Star three-year-old Alligator Blood’s residual fitness from his Caulfield Guineas campaign is set to see him make a winning comeback in the Listed Gold Edition Plate at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
That’s the hope of Sunshine Coast trainer David Vandyke who is undecided whether the gelding will have another run prior to the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast next month.
Alligator Blood, a son of multiple Group 1 winning sire All Too Hard, is the early $3.50 favourite for the Magic Millions Guineas.
Alligator Blood looked set to win the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in October before being nailed on the line by the Anthony Freedman-trained Super Seth.
It was Alligator Blood’s first defeat in his six-start career after claiming the Caulfield Guineas Prelude at his previous start.
“He’s forward enough to win as he only had two weeks off after the Caulfield Guineas,” Vandyke said.
“I’ve got the Vo Rogue pencilled in for him next start but I might sidestep it and give him a barrier trial instead.
“This is a hot time of the year and the heat and humidity can knock horses around so I don’t want to jeopardise the Magic Millions in anyway.
“He’s come on well and won a barrier trial since he’s been back in work and he’s in great shape.”
Vandyke is likely to head back to Melbourne in the autumn with Alligator Blood for the $5 million All Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield in March.
“He could possibly head to the All Star Mile after the Magic Millions,” Vandyke said.
“The Australian Guineas is also a possibility at Caulfield where we know he runs well.”
The Gold Edition Stakes has attracted a strong field for the 1200-metre feature with Kelly Schweida’s The Odyssey chasing back-to-back wins following his return to form at Eagle Farm last month.
Tony’s Gollan’s last start winner Le Palmier, Team Hulbert’s Oh Five Glory and the promising Battle Strike from the Toby and Trent Edmonds stable will do battle along with Greg Hickman’s Eleven Elven and Chris Waller’s recent maiden winner Lubuk.
Racing Queensland webnews December 12