Blake Shinn locks in ride on All-Star Mile favourite Alligator Blood

Blake Shinn has locked in the All-Star Mile ride on favourite Alligator Blood ahead of five Sydney Group 1s including the Golden Slipper. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.

Champion jockey Blake Shinn has chosen to lock in the All-Star Mile ride on favourite Alligator Blood, ahead of riding at Sydney's Golden Slipper day and its five Group 1s.

It might seem an obvious decision, opting to stay on the back of a rampaging five-time Group 1 winner who is the top pick for a $5m race.

And especially considering Shinn rode Alligator Blood for the first time last Saturday when the cult hero horse scored the Group 1 Futurity Stakes on resuming in slashing style.

But there were also other things to consider.

Shinn had a number of options in the $5m Golden Slipper at Rosehill on the same day that the All-Star Mile is raced at Moonee Valley on March 18.

It was also worth considering there are five Group 1s on the Slipper card (the Slipper, George Ryder Stakes, Ranvet Stakes, The Galaxy and the Rosehill Guineas).

But it still would have been a brave call to walk away from riding Alligator Blood in the rich All-Star Mile.

Shinn, who produced a calculated and cool ride to win the Futurity, is now confirmed to partner Alligator Blood in the All-Star Mile as the gelding aims to surge past the $8m prizemoney mark.

ALLIGATOR BLOOD does it again! ????

He's an absolute SUPERSTAR.@GaiWaterhouse1pic.twitter.com/wRilW42Ml9

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

It is something of a sliding doors moment.

Shinn initially got the Futurity ride on Alligator Blood after the headline horse's trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott opted for him to ride over regular rider Tim Clark.

Clark was eyeing off rides on Golden Slipper day in Sydney so Waterhouse and Bott wanted a jockey who was likely to be able to ride Alligator Blood in both the Futurity and All-Star Mile.

Blake Shinn after winning the Group 1 Futurity Stakes on Alligator Blood. Picture: Getty Images.

Meanwhile, Sydney is the favoured next racing destination for freshly minted Group 1 winning sprinter Uncommon James.

Queenslander Uncommon James won last Saturday's Oakleigh Plate in fabulous style and now the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on Slipper day could be his next mission.

"The preferred option is to go to The Galaxy," co-trainer Matt Hoysted said.

"We will still nominate for the Newmarket Handicap in Melbourne and keep an eye on the long range weather forecast.

"If there was a heap of rain predicted for Galaxy weekend, there is a chance he could run in the Newmarket.

"If he measures up again next start and comes through it well and we're happy with him, there is a big chance he then goes to the (Group 1) TJ (Smith Stakes)."

Uncommon James wins the Oakleigh Plate, giving co-trainers Matt Hoysted and Steve O'Dea as well as jockey Ben Thompson their first Group 1s. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.

Uncommon James is rated an $11 chance in TAB's fixed odds market on The Galaxy which has Lost And Running as the $4.50 favourite.