Alligator’s out to draw first Blood

FLEMINGTON

QUEENSLAND idol Alligator Blood will fly the flag for Australia in the eagerly awaited clash with New Zealand star Catalyst today.

It’s not often a Group 3 generates more interest than a Group 1 on the same card.

But that’s the case today when Alligator Blood and Catalyst, plus star colt Dalasan, clash in the $160,000 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m).

The $750,000 Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) has seemingly taken a back seat.

“It’s going to be a great contest,” Alligator Blood’s Sunshine Coast trainer David Vandyke said.

“We could finish third and ‘Al’ could still be putting in his best performance.”

Alligator Blood is the $2.05 favourite in Ladbrokes’ market ahead Catalyst ($2.80).

Multiple stakes-winning South Australian colt Dalasan is a $6 chance.

Vandyke said it would be a tricky race with only seven runners after the likely leader Big Parade was scratched.

ALLIGATOR BLOOD (AUST) 3YO gelding

Breeding: All Too Hard-Lake Superior

Trainer: David Vandyke (Sunshine Coast)

Career: 9 starts for 8 wins and a photo-finish second in Group 1 Caulfield Guineas Prizemoney: $2,107,584 Biggest wins: Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) plus two Group 3 races

Ladbrokes’ price: $2.05

“Is he going to be too good? Well, it’s going to be a wonderful contest,” he said.

“Dalasan, what a great horse. He had his excuses in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude and indeed the Caulfield Guineas.

“And Catalyst, how can we say anything except positive comments about Catalyst. It was a fantastic win at Ellerslie recently.”

New Zealand trainer Clayton Chipperfield can’t wait to take on Alligator Blood with Catalyst.

“As we’ve won a Group 1 and he hasn’t we’ve got to give him a kilo. No disrespect

CATALYST (NZ)

3YO gelding

Breeding: Darci Brahma-Evana Trainer: Clayton Chipperfield (Te Awamutu, NZ)

Career: 7 starts for 6 wins and a seventh at his first start as a two-year-old

Prizemoney: $454,317 Biggest wins: Group 1 Riccarton 2000 Guineas (1600m) plus one Group 2 and two Group 3 races Ladbrokes’ price: $2.80

to him but I don’t know how good my horse is,” he said.

Chipperfield said Catalyst’s first-up win in the Group 3 Mr Tiz Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 25 underlined his ability.

“He got himself out of a sticky spot and then to sprint how he did with 60.5kg where he run his last 600m in 32.10 seconds,” he said.

“He was eight lengths off the leader, he ran three wide throughout and won by two lengths running away. No way was he entitled to win a race like that.

“He’s pretty special. I’m very happy with him.”