It has been reported that the new inquiry into the Alligator Blood Magic Millions 3YO Guineas result is now set to commence on July 21, although the former, well-respected steward Ray Murrihy, who was due to chair the inquiry when it was previously set down to begin on May 21, has withdrawn from the position and will no longer take any part in those proceedings.
That is just another twist in a story that seems to have no ending.
Yes, you’re right … that ‘win’ was on January 11, 2020 … seventy-seven months ago … making it one of the longest-running disputes in racing’s history … still without resolution … after stewards disqualified Alligator Blood in the aftermath of the race when the horse returned a positive post-race swab for altrenogest, a hormone treatment used for mares and fillies, but which is prohibited in males.
Who knew then that would only be the start of a protracted battle between the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) and the Alligator Blood ownership group, led by Allan Endresz, with both sides simply refusing to take a backward step, in what has become, you have to assume, a very expensive and costly legal tug of war, one that is ultimately likely to leave one party licking their wounds when a final determination is made on the issue.
There are arguments and counter-arguments aplenty … too many to cover in one article … but, suffice to say, after many a cut and thrust, Alligator Blood’s owners had a win in 2022 when the Supreme Court set aside the original disqualification on the basis of the fact that the procedure followed had not been fair to the owners … only for the matter to continue to drag on as QRIC pursued the right to open a new inquiry into the matter, while Alligator Blood’s owners formally, legally opposed that option, putting an application in to the Court to prevent QRIC convening a new Steward’s Inquiry.
Another four years passed before judgement came down in favour of QRIC this time, with the Appeal Court dismissing that application.
So here we are … with a July 21 date marked in the calendar for the next move, but will that actually be the case? Going on past form anything can happen between now and then … and beyond.
Unless the new inquiry, if and when it happens, clears Alligator Blood, would we not just be in for another round of court cases?
In other words, more of the same for another couple of years!
Whatever the outcome, for Alligator Blood, roaming peacefully in his retirement paddock unaware of the bitter legal fight surrounding one of his races, one issue does not detract from his exceptional career as a racehorse which brought him multiple Group 1 victories … most notably in the Australian Guineas … in the Stradbroke Handicap (in which Private Eye finished second), in the Futurity Stakes (where Mr Brightside finished second) … in back-to-back editions of The Underwood … and in the Caulfield Stakes (in which he beat subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare into second place).
That is a proud and proven record away from any controversy, so, at the end of the day, it is hoped that when all of the dust has settled, Alligator Blood is recognised and remembered for the right reason.
