Alligator snaps it up

Qld honour for Vandyke’s gelding after stellar season

ALLIGATOR Blood has been crowned Queensland’s Racehorse of the Year for 2019-20, as he continues his build-up to Sydney’s $7.5 million Golden Eagle on October 31.

The David Vandyke-trained gelding had a stellar season, winning the Caulfield Guineas Prelude, Vo Rogue Plate and C.S Hayes Stakes all at Group 3 level before claiming the Group 1 Australian Guineas in late February. He also ran the closest of seconds in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.

The hiccup was being disqualified from January’s Magic Millions Guineas, but judges deemed his feats even without that win were enough to grant him the top gong.

Other awards announced last night included Stradbroke winner Tyzone claiming the 4YO and older Horse of the Year and Rothfire winning the 2YO award. Alligator Blood also won the 3YO crown.

It’s the second time Vandyke has prepared the Queensland Horse of the Year winner, with Yankee Rose claiming the award in 2016-17, the first season the trainer based himself in the state.

“It’s a big honour,” Vandyke said. “I remember sitting at the awards last year thinking it would be nice to win that again.

“He hadn’t won a serious race at that point. It’s been a fantastic season and it’s the icing on the cake getting that award.”

Alligator Blood is in Sydney under the watchful eye of Patricia Gesler after running second in the Silver Eagle earlier this month. Vandyke concedes he needs to take another step forward to win the Golden Eagle, despite bookmakers still having him marked favourite for the race.