Alligator Blood proved Australia’s best miller on Saturday after leaning over the 1600m of the Champions Mile in Flemington. Six-year-old Alligator spent time wilderness for its back injury. But the champion miller returned in September with an impressive win in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) in Sandown.
Gai Waterhouse hopes to have her most memorable Royal Ascot champion, with vital contemplation given to taking Saturday’s Champions Mile victor Alligator Blood to England next year.
Alligator Blood stood fifth in the Might and Power Stakes Cox Plate (2000m). Afterward, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott chose to take Alligator Blood back to 1600m on Saturday.
Our Champion Miler is Alligator Blood!
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 5, 2022
Congratulations to all connections for taking out the Group 1 Kennedy Champions Mile.#StakesDay #MelbCupCarnival pic.twitter.com/KumZYFhU27
Taken directly to the front by Tim Clark, champion horse Alligator Blood ($5.50) scored a half-length win from Tuvalu ($12), with Mr. Brightside ($11) a further 3/4 of a length away third.
Holding off Tuvalu ($11) and Mr. Brightside ($12), Alligator Blood($5.50) was able to take the front position during the race. The most loved miller ran seventh, beaten a little more than two lengths.
My Oberon ($6.50) was passed fit to pursue a race morning episode at Werribee, where the Crystal Mile victor got free and connected with roller doors in the pens. He completed 6th.
Nick Smith said Royal Ascot would be happy to have Waterhouse, Bott, and the champion miller Alligator Blood next year.
After the race, Waterhouse said, ” Absolute relief.”
“He won at Sandown, beating so many of the horses that he was up against today and Adrain was adamant about the mile and so was (part-owner) Gerry (Harvey).”
“I bow to their superior knowledge because they were completely right.”
“Tim was able to use his speed from the gates, and it was ‘see you later Alligator’.”
Later, Waterhouse said she could readily travel Alligator next year if the owners and co-trainer Adrian Bott granted it as a possible option.
Co-trainer Adrain Bott said, ” It’s totally up to the owners and Adrian, but I love Ascot.”
“I think the English would really love it. Look at all those horses like Choisir, and Bentley Biscuit, Takeover Target , and then you see Nature Strip.”
“Those were great, tough horses and he fits in with them.”
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