Doncaster Mile Predicted to be a Challenge for Alligator

Multiple Group 1 winner Alligator Blood (All Too Hard-Lake Superior, by Encosta De Lago) has been thrown a challenge in Saturday's $4m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick, but it is one that co-trainer Adrian Bott says is not beyond him, reports racingnsw.com.au. The 6YO has won four of his five Group 1s since he joined the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable and if he's to make it six in the famous Randwick mile he'll have to do it with top weight of 57.5kg. "His first-up run this preparation was one of the best weight-for-age performances we've had with him. It'll be another challenge for him but he's ready for it," said Bott. Alligator Blood followed his first-up win in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) with a close up fourth in the All Star Mile and Bott said while he wasn't disgraced he suspects the circuit might not be the horse's favourite place: "I thought he ran well in a high-pressure race. Obviously, he wasn't good enough on the day but he can well and truly bounce back."

Alligator Blood was merciless in the Gr1 Futurity (pic: Mark Gatt)