Alligator Blood wins Gold Edition Plate, firm favourite for Magic Millions Guineas

Queensland’s new pin-up horse Alligator Blood has the Magic Millions Guineas at his mercy after scoring a dominant win in the Listed Gold Edition Plate at Eagle Farm. Plus, who won the Origin Jockey Series?

• Rodd’s origins a source of pride
• Flame still Byrnes for unstoppable veteran

Queensland’s new pin-up horse Alligator Blood made a triumphant return to his home state with an arrogant win in yesterday’s Listed Gold Edition Plate, with those behind him facing a forlorn task to turn the tables on Magic Millions Day.

Ladbrokes listed Alligator Blood as the $2.40 favourite for next month’s Magic Millions Guineas, with trainer David Vandyke yet to make a call on whether he will have another start before then.

Vandyke admitted it was a weight off his shoulders to have the heartbreaking Caulfield Guineas runner-up back in the winning groove.

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Alligator Blood was a class above his rivals in the Gold Edition Plate. Picture: AAP

“Before the race I thought he had improved and he showed us out there then, he was happy to sit back, he was happy to relax and he knew where the business end was,” Vandyke said.

“I think we’re seeing a better horse now that knows what he’s doing.

“They were going slowish there in the middle stages and he just put them to the sword.

“They weren’t going to hold him in, Ryan (Maloney) had a lapful of horse and he was jog trotting when they straightened. It wasn’t a fast pace early, he had to run the sectionals and that’s certainly what he did.

“I can’t wait for the 1400m at the Gold Coast.”

Alligator Blood can run in the Vo Rogue Plate in a fortnight or wait a month between runs until the Guineas.

“I will make a call probably after he gallops before the Vo Rogue,” his trainer said. “The main agenda is the Magic Millions Guineas and I don’t want to jeopardise that.”

Aligator Blood - what a star! He's killed them in the Gold Edition Plate at @EagleFarmRacing @BrisRacingClub... bring on the @mmsnippets @GCTurfClub.... pic.twitter.com/2NF8QIvkJQ

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 14, 2019

Maloney has developed an understandable affection for Alligator Blood and said he just made it look so easy on Saturday.

“As soon as I gave him a bit of a nudge, it was all over and the thing is, I never got to the bottom of him, he still had a lot more to give,” he said.

“Today he just went back as the gates opened and didn’t jump as cleanly as I would have liked, but good horses can get you out of trouble.

“(Coming to the turn) I saw Brett Prebble’s (Raging Pole) was under the pump, so I knew I was going to get a bit of room and as soon as I gave him a little nudge, he was straight there.

Jockey Ryan Maloney enjoyed the ride on Alligator Blood. Picture: AAP

“I don’t know if they go straight into the Millions or not, but it wouldn’t worry me either way. There’s maybe marginal room for improvement.

“He’s just the perfect racehorse, you put him wherever.”

Trainer Greg Hickman was thrilled with the run of Eleven Eleven and will continue along the summer path of the Vo Rogue and Magic Millions Guineas.

“We don’t have much choice, we have to take him on,” Hickman said.

“I knew my bloke would improve today and I would say he’s found another two lengths. He’s just getting better all the time.”

Rodd steers NSW to victory

Michael Rodd steered his native NSW to Origin Series victory at Eagle Farm, winning on Ziemba, before his second on Maslow clinched this year’s trophy.

In a series reduced from five races to three, the NSW team of Rodd and Kathy O’Hara amassed 13 points, having a clear margin over Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania, which tied for second.

Rodd has always been true to his NSW heritage, but he is looking forward to once again making Queensland his home when his time in Singapore comes to an end.

Michael Rodd’s win on Ziemba helped NSW secure the Origin Jockey Series at Eagle Farm. Picture: AAP

“I’m a proud Blue and I bleed blue, but Queensland is home,” he said. “I came up here as an apprentice and it was the most comfortable I’ve felt in my life, living up here in Queensland.

“This is definitely home for me. I’m married to a Queenslander and, unfortunately, my two children will be claimed as Queenslanders.

“I’ve done all the stuff down south, but I just don’t think I have that seven days a week racing in me anymore. We will be coming back to Queensland, but I’m not sure when.”

Rodd tipped a bright future for his winning mount, the Rob Heathcote-trained Ziemba, who had no trouble accounting for the older horses.

Michael Rodd is a proud New South Welshman. Picture: AAP

“Stepping up to the mile was a big trick. He didn’t hit the flat spot he did in his previous start and he showed a really good turn of foot,” Rodd said. “Once he put them away, he switched off. He looks like he has to furnish still, he’s still a bit on the lean side.

“I imagine when they tuck him away after this prep, he will turn into a really nice horse.”

The series rounded out when Craig Newitt sprung a surprise and led on hot favourite Jeweliana, who adapted beautifully to the new tactics and ran a sizzling time to also beat the older horses. Jeweliana bettered the previous class record of Soxagon and wasn’t far outside Trekking’s course record.