Ryan Maloney will make the four-hour round trip from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast to ride Caulfield Guineas runner-up Alligator Blood.
The three-year-old is scheduled to trial on Tuesday after a short break with trainer David Vandyke to aim the gelding at the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas in January.
Leaving aside the obvious desire to maintain an association with a top horse, Maloney has developed an awesome combination with Vandyke.
The pair combined to win with another Magic Millions-bound horse, Constant Flight, at Doomben on Saturday.
It was Maloney’s 23rd winner from just 55 rides for Vandyke.
The former Victorian rider has also ridden 19 minor placings for the trainer.
“Ryan is riding very well and I am obviously keen to have him on Alligator Blood in Tuesday’s trial,” Vandyke said.
“From there Alligator Blood will tackle the Gold Edition Plate and Vo Rogue Plate next month on his way to the Millions.”
Vandyke is also confident Constant Flight will measure up to top company in a race such as the $1 million Magic Millions Snippets.
Constant Flight, who is owned by a Darby Racing syndicate, has won seven of his 13 starts and just under $200,000.
“He has always shown a stack of potential and now is the time for him to step up,” Vandyke said.
Vandyke trained a filly named Constant Flight who won the 1993 Gloaming Stakes and was placed in the Spring Champion Stakes.
“I waited a long time to get another horse I thought was good enough to name Constant Flight,” Vandyke said.
