Alligator Blood take out the Group 1 Futurity Stakes on his racetrack return over 1400m at Sandown, defeating the fast finishing Mr Brightside and I'm Thunderstruck by just over a length.
With Nugget taking up the lead, Blake Shinn chose to sit on his girth and settle in second in front of I'm Thunderstruck, who raced further forward today with the change of tactics.
As the field rounded the home turn Shinn and “The Gator” put Nugget and John Allen to the sword and kicked clear by over two lengths with 200m to go and held that margin until he switched off late in the final 50m with the win all but sewn up.
Coming out of the Futurity, the first three over the line, look primed to meet again in a very hot edition of the All-Star Mile on March 18 at Moonee Valley.
2023 Futurity Stakes Replay – Alligator Blood
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott brought up their 19th Group 1 victory for their training partnership, while the Futurity Stakes was Alligator Blood's fourth Group 1 success since the duo talk over as his trainers.
“Sensational,” was how Bott described the return of his star gelding.
“Really, really proud of the horse.
“He's been sensational for the stable and I'm delighted for everyone involved to continue adding to the story of his career.
“He really is a phenomenal racehorse.
“Everything's just been based around the All-Star Mile.
“We thought we could have him peaking second-up and we have followed that before so that's what we have done again.
“The All-Star Mile is the one we really want to secure for him.”
Blake Shinn recorded his 25th Group 1 success with Alligator Blood, bringing up his first Group 1 since returning to Victoria.
“It means a lot, but I probably should have had another one about 30 minutes ago in the Diamond when I never got out,” Shinn said after his mount in the Blue Diamond Stakes, Steel City, didn't see daylight in the home straight.
“It's amazing, 35 minutes in racing, you gotta just keep your head up.
“To ride a horse like Alligator Blood, it's a real privilege and Adrian (Bott) & Gai (Waterhouse) are great trainers and I'm just honoured to be a part of their team.”
Alligator Blood is now a $3.20 favourite with online betting sites in the All-Star Mile futures market.