Alligator Blood court victory gives Ryan Maloney added spring ahead of Group 2 Hollindale Stakes

The champion jockey was never paid after stewards disqualified the horse when he returned a positive swab, however, connections are now closer than ever to getting their cash.

Ryan Maloney has the wind in his sails following the latest chapter in the long-running Alligator Blood saga, which could see him finally walk away with his $60,000 winners cheque for the 2020 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.

The champion jockey was never paid after stewards disqualified the horse when he returned a positive swab, however connections are now closer than ever to getting their money after the Court of Appeal upheld an earlier decision to void the disqualification.

At the time, it was the biggest win of Maloney’s career and acted as a launching pad having recently moved to Queensland.

Maloney said he was ecstatic when he got the phone call telling him of the court decision on Tuesday, and says the horse deserves to have the race on his CV.

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“For the horse to go on and do what he has done, it shows he was the best horse in that race, regardless of what or wasn’t in his system,” he said.

“Aside from the 2YO race, it is the race of the summer, so it’d be nice to have it on the CV.”

In the process of moving house currently, Maloney jokes the money can’t come quick enough.

It comes as Maloney prepares to battle Huetor in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m), a horse he won the Group 1 Doomben Cup on last year.

Ryan Maloney wins his first Queensland Group 1 aboard the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Huetor in the Doomben Cup. Picture: Grant Peters – Trackside Photography

The jockey instead rides Mighty Ulysses, who he piloted to victory in the Listed Brisbane Handicap last start as he looks to win another Doomben Cup in a fortnight’s time.

“ (Huetor) finds form around this time of the year, it’s uncanny how good he is up here,” Maloney said.

“Annabel (Neasham) was really bullish about (Mighty Ulysses’) chances and even Martin Harley told me before the race, he is a very good horse because he used to ride him a bit in England.

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“He just trucked through the run and I had a lapful of horse on the corner; I just pushed the button.”

Maloney also rides proven wet track specialist Nettuno, who he says is a much improved horse as a gelding.

“He has come back gelded and he is so much more settled, he used to be bull at the gate,” he said.

Originally published as Alligator Blood court victory gives Ryan Maloney added spring ahead of Group 2 Hollindale Stakes