Trainer David Vandyke has admitted there are a few question marks surrounding his star galloper Alligator Blood heading into Saturday’s $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
Speaking to RSN, Vandyke said that he was happy with the horse, but that there were a number of factors that the Australian Guineas winner would have to overcome
“I’m pleased with him. All the signs are good,” he said.
“If you dissect the Hayes and Guineas form, it hasn’t stood up,” he said.
The Best of the Autumn 2020 – The CS Hayes Stakes provided us with one of the most impressive duels of the year – Alligator Blood V Catalyst. What a battle! pic.twitter.com/QaRRLZUymN
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 27, 2020
“The rivals are a bit different now – horses like Flit and Funstar – and I’m not sure there’s any indication Alligator Blood has gone to a different level. If anything, he’s probably plateaued.
“The track was reportedly soft when he won the CS Hayes Stakes but they ran pretty quick time. I’m really not sure how he will handle the conditions on Saturday and there’s also the barrier to contend with.”
“You’d have to say there are a couple of question marks but he’s as good as I can get him.”
Alligator Blood is currently a $7 chance in the Golden Eagle.
| Horse | Win | Place | ||
| 1 | Alligator Blood (15)J: Ryan Maloney 57.5kg T: David Vandyke | $7.00 | $2.50 | Bet Now |
| 2 | Brandenburg (14)J: Regan Bayliss 57.5kg T: J G Sargent | $31.00 | $7.50 | Bet Now |
| 3 | Superstorm (19)J: Joshua Parr 57.5kg T: G & A Williams | $16.00 | $4.80 | Bet Now |
| 4 | Dawn Passage (16)J: Tim Clark 57.5kg T: G Waterhouse & A Bott | $21.00 | $6.00 | Bet Now |
| 5 | Riodini (7)J: Brenton Avdulla 57.5kg T: G Waterhouse & A Bott | $16.00 | $4.80 | Bet Now |
| 6 | Windstorm (8)J: Glyn Schofield 57.5kg T: G & A Williams | $21.00 | $6.00 | Bet Now |
| 7 | Reloaded (11)J: Robbie Dolan 57.5kg T: C J Waller | $67.00 | $17.00 | Bet Now |
| 8 | Just Thinkin’ (21)J: Ms Kathy O’hara 57.5kg T: G Waterhouse & A Bott | $67.00 | $17.00 | Bet Now |
| 9 | Bottega (4)J: James Innes Jnr 57.5kg T: G Ryan & S Alexiou | $19.00 | $5.50 | Bet Now |
| 10 | Criaderas (10)J: Keagan Latham 57.5kg T: James Cummings | $17.00 | $5.00 | Bet Now |
| 11 | Flit (17)J: Ms Rachel King 55.5kg T: James Cummings | $15.00 | $4.50 | Bet Now |
| 12 | Funstar (22)J: Tommy Berry 55.5kg T: C J Waller | $4.80 | $1.95 | Bet Now |
| 13 | Colette (6)J: Koby Jennings 55.5kg T: James Cummings | $7.00 | $2.50 | Bet Now |
| 14 | Subpoenaed (2)J: Jay Ford 55.5kg T: C J Waller | $26.00 | $7.00 | Bet Now |
| 15 | Emeralds (18)J: Jason Collett 55.5kg T: J G Sargent | $31.00 | $7.50 | Bet Now |
| 16 | Sierra Sue (1)J: Nash Rawiller 55.5kg T: T Busuttin & N Young | $11.00 | $3.50 | Bet Now |
| 17 | All Saints’ Eve (3)J: Sam Clipperton 55.5kg T: J A O’shea | $34.00 | $8.00 | Bet Now |
| 18 | Icebath (5)J: Tom Sherry 55.5kg T: Brad Widdup | $26.00 | $7.00 | Bet Now |
| 19 | Stockman (9)J: Unknown 57.5kg T: Joseph Pride | $126.00 | $31.00 | Bet Now |
| 20 | Enchanted Heart (13)J: Unknown 55.5kg T: K A Lees | $201.00 | $34.00 | Bet Now |
| 21 | Fender (12)J: Unknown 57.5kg T: B F Cavanough | $151.00 | $31.00 | Bet Now |
| 22 | Air To Air (20)J: Unknown 55.5kg T: J C Coyle | $201.00 | $34.00 | Bet Now |
