All-Star Mile: Blake Shinn warns rivals risk bringing themselves undone trying to soften up Alligator Blood

Star jockey Blake Shinn isn’t going to get caught up in the hype around the $5m All-Star Mile being a drag race.

Alligator Blood is favourite for the $5m All-Star Mile. Picture: Racing Photos

Star jockey Blake Shinn has dismissed concerns about Alligator Blood being vulnerable in a $5m All-Star Mile drag race at The Valley.

Favourite Alligator Blood will at the very least spot tearaway leader Keats a start on Saturday, along with Gentleman Roy, the other major speed influence in the field.

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“If they want to take him on, they’re only going to bring themselves undone,” Shinn said.

“I know the job I’ve got to do out there. He’s a gun horse to ride and hopefully we can do him justice and give him the ride he deserves and help him win the race.

“When the barriers open we’ll assess it, you’ve got Keats and Gentleman Roy who like to race on speed and so does Alligator Blood.

“He can absorb pressure, he has done that before. All the pre-race talk, I’m not going to get caught up in it, I know how to ride him.

“He’s pretty adaptable and he can do it tough, you can make three runs on him if I want to, I’m not too worried.”

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Five-time Group 1 winner Alligator Blood is the $2.70 favourite with TAB from Mr Brightside and I’m Thunderstruck at $6 and $6.50 respectively.

Outside of the big three it’s wide open, with $8 separating the next seven horses in the market from Sheeza Belter ($13) to Gentleman Roy ($21).

ALLIGATOR BLOOD does it again! 🐊

He's an absolute [e-mail]/wRilW42Ml9

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 25, 2023

Despite options to ride in Sydney on Saturday, the Golden Slipper card includes five Group 1s, Shinn committed last month to riding Alligator Blood in the All-Star Mile.

“I’ve won the Slipper before (Capitalist, 2016). I’ve come to Melbourne and I’ve based myself here,” Shinn, who rode in Hong Kong previously, said.

“Aside from the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup, the majors, this (All-Star) is a new race on the horizon, it’s worth big money and it’s capturing everyone’s attention.

“So for me to come here and base myself in Melbourne, I wanted to be here for this race and hopefully we can take it out.”

His decision was vindicated immediately in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes, with the 1.8 length win enhancing Shinn’s utmost respect for Alligator Blood.

“I’m in admiration for a horse that’s overcome so much and to be competing against the best horses Australian has got to offer and beating most of them,” Shinn said.

“It is a credit to him, a credit to the team surrounding him to get him to that level, it’s a phenomenal effort from the horse and everyone involved.

“He’s one out of the box (toughness wise) … he’s got a mind like bloody steel, he puts the pain to one side and works through it and got a winner’s attitude.”

Originally published as All-Star Mile: Blake Shinn warns rivals risk bringing themselves undone trying to soften up Alligator Blood