Star Queenslander Alligator Blood will not be seen during his home states summer carnival after scans revealed the horse requires back surgery.
Alligator Blood will require at least four months off racing to undergo back surgery following his run in the Golden Eagle where he finished at the back of the field which could be a result of his issue with degenerative changes to his kissing spines.
Trainer David Vandyke had plans to run Alligator Blood in the rich The Gong at Kembla Grange which is now ruled out with connections initially pinpointing the horses disappointing run in the Golden Eagle down to the heavy track.
The surgery also means the Group One winning galloper will miss the Magic Millions carnival and a majority if not all of the Autumn carnival in Sydney.