Alligator Blood crowned Queensland’s Racehorse of the Year
Alligator Blood has capped a big year by winning Queensland racing’s top honour, as he continues his build-up to the $7.5m Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens on October 31.
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Alligator Blood has been crowned Queensland’s Racehorse of the Year for 2019-20, as he continues his build-up to Sydney’s $7.5 million Golden Eagle on October 31.
The David Vandyke-trained gelding had a stellar season, winning the Caulfield Guineas Prelude, Vo Rogue Plate and C.S Hayes Stakes all at Group 3 level before claiming the Group 1 Australian Guineas in late February. He also ran the closest of seconds in the Group 1 $2m Caulfield Guineas.
The hiccup was being disqualified from January’s Magic Millions Guineas, but judges deemed his feats even without that win were enough to grant him the top gong.
Other awards announced last night included Stradbroke winner Tyzone claiming the 4YO and older Horse of the Year and Rothfire winning the 2YO award. Alligator Blood also won the 3YO crown.
It’s the second time Vandyke has prepared the Queensland Horse of the Year winner, with Yankee Rose claiming the award in 2016-17, the first season the trainer based himself in the state.
“It’s a big honour,” Vandyke said.
“I remember sitting at the awards last year thinking it would be nice to win that again.
“He hadn’t won a serious race at that point. It’s been a fantastic season and it’s the icing on the cake getting that award.”
Alligator Blood is in Sydney under the watchful eye of Patricia Gesler after running second in the Silver Eagle earlier this month.
Vandyke concedes he needs to take another step forward to win the Golden Eagle, despite bookmakers still having him marked favourite for the race.
“He’s going okay. Obviously we want him 100 per cent for his Grand Final. He got a pass mark in his first two runs this prep, but hopefully we can extract some improvement for the Golden Eagle,” he said.
“He found a bit when (Flit) went past him, but he wasn’t pulling Ryan into the race like we know he can. Hopefully now that he’s had those two runs back he will be a bit more switched on next start.”
Meanwhile, Steven O’Dea has announced he is going into a training partnership with his assistant trainer of the past four years Matt Hoysted.
“Matt has revelled in the role of assistant trainer and I believe now is the time to make him an official partner,” O’Dea said. “He is a hard-working and dedicated horseman with excellent attention to detail.”
Hoysted said he and O’Dea had always worked well together and was excited to see what the future holds for the stable.