Trainer David Vandyke has confirmed star Queensland three-year-old Alligator Blood will press on to a Melbourne campaign, with the Australian Guineas and All-Star Mile both targets.
Alligator Blood will have his next run in the Group Three CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on February 15, two weeks before the Group One Australian Guineas on February 29.
The $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield is two weeks after the Guineas.
Alligator Blood is favourite for the Guineas and All-Star Mile and he leads the voting for the All-Star Mile spots.
The gelding starred during a three-race summer campaign in his home state culminating in a dominant performance in the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 11.
Magic Millions day was not without drama for Alligator Blood when the float he was travelling on from the Sunshine Coast was delayed by an accident on the freeway.
Vandyke wanted to give him 10 days after the Magic Millions day to see how he recovered before confirming a Melbourne preparation.
“Immediately after the (Magic Millions) race I knew that his preparation was in doubt because of the way that he looked going into the race,” Vandyke told RSN927.
“Indeed before the start I was concerned that he had run his race before he went around but like good horses do he got the job done.
“Then he had to endure a 3-1/2-hour float trip back home because the freeway was still blocked.
“I thought I would give him 10 days and just forget about immediate future plans, let him have a run around the paddock and then assess him today.
“He’s in good shape and he’s ready.
“We’ll come down the week before the CS Hayes and he’ll run in the CS Hayes and if I’m happy after that the Australian Guineas.
“They’re both at Flemington and then if I’m happy with him after the Australian Guineas the All-Star Mile, and then he’ll have a lengthy break.”
The winner of eight of his nine starts, Alligator Blood’s only defeat came in the Group One Caulfield Guineas in October when he was chased down by Super Seth to be beaten in the final stride.
Alligator Blood heads both the Australian Guineas odds ($5) and All Star Mile odds ($6.50).
