Gator renews Plate push

Alligator Blood has raced his way back into strong Cox Plate contention after a commanding performance to land his seventh Group 1 victory in the Might And Power Stakes (2000m).

In a race where the betting was turned on its head with a rush of money for Alligator Blood’s stablemate Just Fine, Alligator Blood exerted his authority to take control of the race in typical style.

The race was all but over on the home turn as jockey Tim Clark released the brakes on Alligator Blood as he zoomed by the early leader Deny Knowledge to set up a winning break.

Starting at the generous odds of $3.40, Alligator Blood ultimately cruised to the line two lengths ahead of 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare ($71) with the class staying mare Duais ($4) also finishing off well for third.

The plunge on Metropolitan winner Just Fine ($3.10 fav) missed badly as he struggled rising to weight-for-age company and dropping back 400m.

“He was a bit out of his class,” she explained before confirming the Melbourne Cup was still the plan for the imported horse.

“It was a short, sharp race and he was out of his class. Getting back to handicap conditions, it will be totally different.”

Bookmakers reacted immediately to the dominant victory by Alligator Blood by slashing his Cox Plate price in half to the third line of betting at $6 behind Amelia’s Jewel ($4.60) and the Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior.

Notably, it was Alligator Blood’s first win at 2000 metres, which strengthens his case for a Cox Plate tilt.

“I think he’s going to be awfully hard to beat in the Cox Plate,” Waterhouse said.

“He’s just so strong and determined and when he gets up and rolling he’s just so hard to run down.”

Jockey Tim Clark too was thinking of the Cox Plate moments after the race.

“These horses, they don’t come along very often and a seven-time G1 winner - five at weight-for-age - he’s a real star and showed that he could run a strong 2000 (metres) today.”