Gai Waterhouse can complete Australian racing’s coveted grand slam if Alligator Blood wins the Cox Plate
Gai Waterhouse will complete Australian racing’s coveted grand slam if Alligator Blood wins the $5 million Cox Plate at The Valley on Saturday.
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Gai Waterhouse will complete Australian racing’s coveted grand slam if Alligator Blood wins the $5 million Cox Plate at The Valley on Saturday.
Racing’s first lady has won just about everything worth winning in the sport – except the race described as the nation’s weight-for-age championship.
Waterhouse has had a number of near misses in the Cox Plate including second placings with Lotteria (2005) and Manhattan Rain (2009), and third placings from All Our Mob (1996), Pierro (2012) and Fiorente (2013).
But Alligator Blood might be Waterhouse’s best chance yet to win that elusive Cox Plate.
In latest TAB Fixed Odds betting, Alligator Blood is at $5.50 second favouritism behind Hong Kong raider Romantic Warrior at $3.80.
• Tips from the Big Bookies for Cox Plate Day
• Alligator Blood: The amazing inside story
Alligator Blood goes into the Cox Plate in outstanding form after successive Group 1 wins in the Underwood Stakes and Might And Power Stakes.
“I can’t tell you how happy with we are with Alligator Blood, he’s like a man on a mission,’’ Waterhouse said.
“He’s a great horse and we are truly blessed to have him in our stable.
“I believe he is the horse to beat – whatever beats him will win the race.’’
Waterhouse, who has trained in partnership with Adrian Bott since 2016, dismissed any concerns about Alligator Blood running a strong 2040m in the Cox Plate.
Extraordinary career comparison between Alligator Blood + Might And Power. CouldðŸŠðŸ©¸overtake the legendary M+P in the Court room in Cox Plate week?
— Ben Dorries (@bendorries76) October 17, 2023
STORY - https://t.co/YuETXL2x5Wpic.twitter.com/feZZYJi7ku
“Alligator Blood will run it with his eyes shut,’’ she said. “He ran the 2000m easily at Caulfield last start.’’
The Cox Plate is one of four “grand slam’’ races on the Australian turf along with the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Golden Slipper.
Only seven trainers have won all four races including Waterhouse’s late father, Tommy Smith, who won a record seven Cox Plates along with six Golden Slippers, four Caulfield Cups and two Melbourne Cups.
• Gai’s text message ranks Alligator Blood with her greats
Smith’s great rival, Bart Cummings has won the most grand slams with 28 including his 12 Melbourne Cups, seven Caulfield Cups, five Cox Plates and four Golden Slippers.
Lee Freedman has prepared the winners of five Melbourne Cups, four Caulfield Cups, two Cox Plates and four Golden Slippers.
Chris Waller is also developing a great record in the majors with his four Cox Plate wins, two Caulfield Cups, and wins in the Melbourne Cup and Golden Slipper.
Colin Hayes, David Hayes and Jack Denham are the only other trainers to win all four legs of the grand slam races.
• Ray Thomas’ Inside Mail, tips and quaddie selections for Randwick, plus Cox Plate
Waterhouse has already won a record seven Golden Slippers along with Fiorente’s 2013 Melbourne Cup and Descarado’s win in the 2010 Caulfield Cup, and she covets the one trophy that is missing from her mantelpiece.
“I would love to win a Cox Plate and complete the set,’’ Waterhouse said.
“It’s not from the lack of trying, either. We have gone close a few times. I’m hoping Alligator Blood can win, it would be great to finally win this race.’’
At Royal Randwick on Saturday, Waterhouse and Bott also have big-race winning chances with Raf Attack and Ganbare in the Group 1 $2 million Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and former English three-time Group 1 winner Alcohol Free in the $2 million The Invitation (1400m).
Originally published as Gai Waterhouse can complete Australian racing’s coveted grand slam if Alligator Blood wins the Cox Plate
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