A return to the scene of his only defeat from eleven starts on Saturday is no worries for The All-Star Mile favourite Alligator Blood according to his regular partner Ryan Maloney.
Alligator Blood, above, returns to Caulfield for The All-Star Mile. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Maloney has been aboard Alligator Blood for eight of his eleven starts, including his only defeat when a nose second to Super Seth in the Group 1 $2m Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield during the 2019 Melbourne Spring Carnival.
“He is a lot more seasoned and mature horse now so those worries last time before the Caulfield Guineas have gone out the window,” Maloney told Racenet.
The combination of Alligator Blood and Maloney have put that defeat behind them and have been unbeaten from five starts this preparation that kicked off with a win in the Listed $200,000 Pages Gold Edition Plate (1200m) at Eagle Farm on December 14.
Two starts later the David Vandyke trained Alligator Blood with Maloney aboard dominated his rivals to win the $2m Gold Coast Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 11 followed by a win in the Group 3 $160,000 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on February 15.
Alligator Blood was then sent out as the favourite for the Group 1 $1m Kennedy Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on February 29 and didn’t let his legion of fans down with a commanding one and a quarter lengths win over Superstorm.
Following his win in the Australian Guineas, Alligator Blood was the people’s favourite in the voting for the $5m The All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday and is the clear cut favourite at $2.70 with Ladbrokes.com.au.
Maloney is not too concerned that Alligator Blood drew barrier ten in the fifteen horse The All-Star Mile field and will wait until the hoses leave the starting gates before finalizing his race plan.
“My bloke is really versatile so I will just assess how he jumps and go from there,” Maloney said.
“There doesn’t look to be a great deal of pressure. Streets Of Avalon has drawn outside of us and will give us a cart across.”
Ryan was aboard Alligator Blood this morning at Flemington and is expecting another strong performance after pleasing him with a solid workout.
“His work this morning indicated that he is still on track so I can’t see why not,” Maloney said.
The multiple Group 1 winning Kiwi mare Melody Belle has drawn nicely at gate five and is on the second line of betting at $5 at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Gun Kiwi jockey Opie Bosson rides Mellody Belle again in The All-Star Mile after the pair finished third behind Streets of Avalon and Super Seth in the Group 1 $500,000 PFD Food Services Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 22.
Sharing the third line of betting at $10 is the Matthew Smith trained Fierce Impact who has drawn barrier twelve and West Australian Regal Power (barrier 3) ahead of Kolding (barrier 7) at $11 and Mr Quickie (barrier 4) at $12.
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