Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have been confirmed as the new trainers for Alligator Blood after his owners split with former conditioner David Vandyke.
The four-year-old has been prepared by Vandyke to win nine of his 15 starts, highlighted by the Group One Australian Guineas at Flemington in February.
However, the trainer recently fell out with some of the ownership group, prompting the change of stable.
Waterhouse confirmed the acquisition of Alligator Blood in a tweet on Wednesday.
“Very grateful to @EndreszAllan and his family for sending us one of the country’s very best racehorses, Alligator Blood. Looking forward to him joining us at Tulloch Lodge and adding to his impressive CV,” Waterhouse said.
Alligator Blood, who is raced by a syndicate managed by Allan Endresz, went winless in three spring starts, culminating in his unplaced effort in the Golden Eagle.
He was subsequently diagnosed with a back ailment and will undergo surgery for the issue on Monday.
The gelding is expected to require several months to recuperate.
Endresz said he had no ill will towards Vandyke, who he indicated had initiated the split due to disharmony with some of the horse’s owners.
“I never had any issues as an owner with him. In fact, I had nothing to do with his training program,” Endresz said on Sydney’s Sky Sports radio.
“David is in a good headspace. We’ll still remain friends. I spoke to him afterwards.
“It was a surprise but that’s life.”
Endresz said he was excited to team up with Waterhouse and Bott once the horse recovered from his injury and returned to training.
“The final thing for me was Gai Waterhouse,” Endresz said.
“She is one of the most tenacious women that I know. Through all the ups and downs she’s had, and the successes, she’s a true blue blood. She’s got that Alligator Blood spirit.”
