Champion jockey Damien Oliver endorses Alligator Blood’s chances in Saturday’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes
Damien Oliver is bullish about Alligator Blood’s prospects in the Underwood Stakes but is keeping his tactical options open.
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Champion jockey Damien Oliver will keep his options open on Alligator Blood in Saturday’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.
Oliver led on Alligator Blood last Saturday in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) until a “better than ever” Mr Brightside surged past in the straight.
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A middle draw and capacity 16-horse field, including pacy Right You Are and Lindermann, could allow Oliver and Alligator Blood to stalk their prey.
“I’d keep my options open,” the 128-time Group 1 winner Oliver said.
“I’m happy to ride him anywhere.”
Five-time Group 1 winner Alligator Blood clinched the Underwood Stakes last year after also being runner-up in the Makybe Diva Stakes.
The races were run two weeks apart as opposed to seven days this year, due to a schedule change to mark the 100th running of the Underwood, first contested on August 23, 1924.
It is the first time in 31 starts, for 13 wins and $6.4m prizemoney, tough Alligator Blood has been required to race twice in seven days.
“He should go well if they’re happy with him to back him up,” Oliver said.
The market has entrusted Alligator Blood, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, to handle the quick turnaround.
The favourite has firmed $4.40 into $3.40 since the TAB market opened last Wednesday.
“He’s obviously in great form, we had a nice run in front (last start), I was happy with it,” Oliver said.
“He’s a horse in good form, it just seems (Mr) Brightside has come back better than ever, Alligator (Blood) is going well, don’t get me wrong I’m pleased the way he’s going too.
“I think he (Alligator Blood) seems to be in as good a form as ever.”
Alligator Blood has been best backed with TAB, accounting for 24 per cent of early wagers, from Lindermann (20 per cent).
Tuvalu has halved in price, $14 into $7, but only commands seven per cent of the TAB hold.
Without A Fight has drifted $3.90 to $5.50 since the market opened.
Oliver has won the Underwood twice previously on Russian Camelot (2020) and Northerly (2001).
Alligator Blood will aim to become only the 13th dual winner of the Underwood and first since Black Heart Bart saluted in 2016 and 2019.
Ajax won the race three times in 1938-40.
Originally published as Champion jockey Damien Oliver endorses Alligator Blood’s chances in Saturday’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes
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