'He just exploded': Alligator Blood impresses in Australian Guineas

Alligator Blood made it nine wins from ten starts as he ran out an impressive winner of the Kennedy Australian Guineas at Flemington on Saturday.

His trainer David Vandyke admitted he had some concerns early in the race when Commodus came around and sat outside Alligator Blood.

Vandyke said: "Turning into the straight, there was a line of four and I thought ‘Gee whizz, he's going to have to be good', and as he quickened, he just exploded. You could see his stride change. He was just dominant.

"He's astounded me every start. He just keeps lifting. Where is the ceiling to him?"

Sent off the A$2.70 (17-10) favourite, Alligator Blood won with a length-and-a-quarter margin over Superstorm, who just edged out Soul Patch.

For former Melbourne-based jockey Ryan Maloney, the win washed away any of the effects a four-month ban in 2018 had on the rider.

He said: "Just 18 months ago, I had the worst day at the races I've ever had in my life and today's I've had the best one so it just goes to show don't ever give up when you are down and out because you never know where it could lead you. Just keep turning up and getting the job done. What a way to do it, being back at home at headquarters."

In April 2018, Maloney was suspended for four months after testing positive to a banned stimulant, which was the spur for the Melbourne-based rider to pick up and relocate to Queensland to start afresh.

Alligator Blood's owner Allan Endresz confirmed he had knocked back numerous offers for the horse and said the three-year-old gelding's future would stay in Australia.

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