| Alligator Blood capped a massive day for Magic Millions graduates when he scored a dominant first up win in Saturday’s Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Sandown. |
| In confirming his status as the horse to beat in the upcoming All-Star Mile, Alligator Blood was able to notch his fifth Group One victory in a powerful performance. Jockey Blake Shinn was able to position the son of All Too Hard second to surprise leader Nugget during the early and middle stages before making his move on straightening. Shinn clicked up the gelding and he immediately struck the front and then strode clear, before holding out the late challenges from eventual placegetters Mr Brightside and I’m Thunderstruck to win by over a length. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained star sent his earnings over the $6 million barrier with his fifth Group One success. “Sensational,” a proud Bott said post-race. “Really proud of the horse. He’s been sensational for the stable.” “I’m really delighted for everyone involved and to be able to continue adding to the story of his career. He really is a phenomenal racehorse.” Bott said the win had Alligator Blood spot on for his major goal of the preparation, the All-Star Mile – hoping he would clinch a start with the voting deadline imminent. “Everything has been based around the All-Star Mile. We had a couple of ideas whether to kick off in the Orr or the Futurity but we were guided by him throughout the campaign.” “We just felt that he needed that bit more time. We thought we could have him peaking second-up.” “We followed that previously with him so I think there’s good improvement off the back of today and obviously we’ve got the big target in the All-Star Mile and that’s the one we really want to secure for him.” “He really is a phenomenal racehorse. It is so special to be part of his career. He touches so many people. It is so remarkable.” “He continues to amaze me every preparation. He was potentially vulnerable today but again he was just too tough of a competitor,” Bott added. “He’s that good.” The win was the second Group One for Blake Shinn in Melbourne (following a Melbourne Cup) – a wonderful result for the superstar rider who has notched many Group Ones during stints in Sydney and Hong Kong. “It means a lot,” Shinn said. “I probably should have had one 30 minutes ago in the Blue Diamond. My horse never got out.” “It’s amazing, 35 minutes in racing. You just have to keep your head up and it is just thrilling to come back to Victoria – I’ve only been back a relatively short time – and to get the support of the trainers and owners and to ride such a headline horse like Alligator Blood, it is such a privilege.” “Adrian and Gai, they’re marvellous trainers and I’m honoured to be a part of their team and play a small part,” Shinn added. “It is great to get this result for everyone today.” “Our plan was to jump and dictate. Nugget was going to force my hand to go a bit quicker than I wanted to so I just tucked in nicely and had cover down the back. When I wanted to let him slide he picked up beautifully.” “He has to be (the hardest horse to get past in Australia). He reminds me of a horse I used to ride, Happy Clapper.” “Tough as nails, this horse is. I take my hat off to Gai and Adrian. I suppose he hasn’t been the easiest horse to manage but they’re just wonderful people to deal with (and they) know their horses back-to-front.” “I’m the lucky recipient today,” Shinn summed up. Alligator Blood was bred by his part owner Gerry Harvey and sold for $55,000 through his Baramul Stud draft to Ezybonds No 1 Syndicate at the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. His dam, the unraced Encosta de Lago mare Lake Superior, is a half sister to stakes winner Cantonese and is from the triple Group One placegetter Kylikwong. Kylikwong is a daughter of four time South African Group One winner Tracy’s Element and is a half sister to Australian Horse of the Year and six time Group One winner Typhoon Tracy. Alligator Blood was the third Group One winner today sold by Magic Millions. Earlier on the Sandown card Little Brose led home a MM sold 1-2 in the $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes, while emerging filly Sunshine in Paris won the Surround Stakes at Randwick. Other feature wins around the country on the day included the impressive victories of Espiona at Sandown and All the King’s Men and Admiration Express at Ascot. Winner: Alligator Blood Breeding: All Too Hard-Lake Superior (Encosta de Lago) Breeder: Mr G Harvey Race: MRC Futurity Stakes G1 (1400m) Sold for: $55,000 Sale: 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Baramul Stud Buyer: Ezybonds No 1 Syndicate Earnings: $6,026,575 Owner(s): G Harvey, Mrs R Simpson & JA Simpson Trainer(s): Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott (Flemington) |
