Is there a more popular horse in Australia than Alligator Blood? – the cheer went up at the 300 metre mark in Saturday’s $1 million Group 1 Kennedy Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington when the David Vandyke-trained colt dropped his nearest pursuers to provide his sire All Too Hard with a memorable day.
With regular rider Ryan Maloney in the saddle, Alligator Blood took up the early running but was pestered by the outsider Commodus who pressed on after being caught three wide.
A rematch of the epic battle of Alligator Blood and Catalyst looked on the cards when the New Zealander tracked into the race but his challenge was short-lived.
Alligator Blood kept up a relentless gallop in the straight and this must rank among his most impressive wins.
The son of All Too Hard coasted to the line to defeat Sebring gelding Superstorm by one and a quarter lengths with the Shamus Award colt Soul Patch a nose back in third with the luckless Chenier in fourth.
"Just 18 months ago, I had the worst day at the races I've ever had in my life and today's I've had the best one so it just goes to show don't ever give up when you are down and out because you never know where it could lead you," Maloney told racing.com.
"Just keep turning up and getting the job done.
"What a way to do it, being back at home at headquarters."
"That was just amazing," Vandyke said.
"Wow, he won that with authority. He did it for Queensland, he did it for the owners, he did it for All Too Hard, he did it for Ryan."
"It was just an amazing performance at Group 1 level in a class field. I'm just blown away by what he's done today."
"You can't quantify guts. We can look at the form and decide where he should finish in a field but his determination and will to win has gone to another level."
"This bloke is so special, I won't say he's a champion but he is to me."
Bred by Gerry Harvey and sold for $55,000 to Allan Endresz's Ezybonds No 1 Syndicate at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Alligator Blood advances his record to 10 wins, and a nose second in the Caulfield Guineas, from 11 starts with earnings of $2,810,084.
He is the last foal of Lake Superior, who died in 2017. She was an unraced half-sister by Encosta de Lago to stakes-winner Cantonese from the family of Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy.
Vinery Stud’s All Too Hard had an amazing day.
He had a 2yo stakes-winner with Hard Rock Girl in the Listed Cinderella Stakes at Morphettville while the 5yo mare Dawn Dawn claimed the Group II Guy Walter Stakes at Randwick (read about them here).
Alligator Blood becomes the first Group 1 winner for the 4-time Group 1 winning half-brother to Black Caviar.
