Damien Oliver chasing G1 on Alligator Blood
Damien Oliver will be looking to add to his Group 1 tally when he partners Alligator Blood possibly for the last time at Caulfield.
Alligator Blood runs in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) on Saturday with Oliver aboard before the champion jockey is expected to hand the reins back to Tim Clark in coming weeks.
Clark was injured in a race fall at Wyong on September 1 and missed the ride on Alligator Blood when the gelding was a first-up fourth in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield the following day.
Oliver picked up the ride and was again aboard when Alligator Blood was second to Mr Brightside in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday.
Clarke won the Underwood Stakes on Alligator Blood last year when the race was run at Sandown and makes his return to race riding at Rosehill on Saturday after riding in trials at Randwick on Friday.
Oliver will be having his fourth ride on Alligator Blood on Saturday.
He rode the gelding when seventh in the 2022 Memsie Stakes before getting back aboard Alligator Blood for his last two starts.
While Oliver is winless, to date, on Alligator Blood, he said the gelding was a straight-forward horse and an easy one to ride.
“I’ve ridden the horse a few times now,” Oliver said.
“I’m pretty familiar with the horse. I’ve ridden him in trackwork, and I’ve raced against him quite a lot and he is a pretty straight forward horse.”
From barrier eight on Saturday, Oliver said he would go into Saturday’s race with an open mind.
While he led on Alligator Blood last week at Flemington and the gelding led throughout to claim last year’s Underwood, Oliver said ‘The Blood’ does not need to lead to win on Saturday.
“I’d like to keep my options open, and I’d be happy to ride him anywhere,” Oliver said.
“He had a nice run in front last Saturday. I was happy with it, but I felt it was a bit hard and I don’t think any of the leaders won.
“The way he is going, think he seems in as good a form as ever.”
More Racing News
Harry Charlton optimistic about Wine Dark Sea's Caulfield Cup chances
Upon his arrival in Australia, UK trainer Harry Charlton immediately made his way to Werribee to assess his Caulfield Cup contender, Wine Dark Sea.This marks Charlton's first venture training a horse in Australia, although he has drawn on the expertise of his brother Tom, a co-trainer with John O'Shea in...
Concord Connie set for Caulfield challenge
Following a string of three successive wins during her late autumn campaign, trainer Charlotte Littlefield admitted to experiencing significant pressure as Concord Connie made her spring racing return at Mornington.The mare, who was heavily backed at $1.30, was narrowly beaten over 1200m on September 26.Despite the close call, Littlefield maintained...
Russian Rock ready for Caulfield challenge
Michael Trotter, the trainer from Cranbourne, was abroad when he received a telephone call from acclaimed jockey Craig Williams.This call came not long after Trotter's three-year-old colt, Russian Rock, had competed in the Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on September 27.Following Adam McCabe's suspension for causing interference during that particular...
Bedggood's Caulfield Cup debut with Kingswood
Trainer Gavin Bedggood is on the cusp of a significant career moment with his first runner in a 'major' race at Caulfield.While he boasts Group 1 victories and placings to his name, Kingswood's upcoming run in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) this Saturday will be his first in this elite tier.The...
Apocalyptic's form under scrutiny as Berry aims for Silver Eagle success
Jockey Tommy Berry concedes that Apocalyptic has not yet fulfilled her early potential, but he remains steadfast in his belief in the Group 1 victor.During her spring three-year-old campaign, she was almost invincible, clinching the Furious Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes, and Flight Stakes before a narrow defeat to Ole Dancer...
Schofield's partnership with Tempted and Ceolwulf set for Everest day
Chad Schofield might attribute his initial opportunities aboard star gallopers Tempted and Ceolwulf to luck and timing, but it is his skill and execution that have kept him in the saddle.Schofield has forged an impressive association with both horses, which will continue on the most significant day of the Sydney...
Organised Crime aims to conquer Blue Sapphire
Cranbourne-based trainer Lloyd Kennewell is anticipating a highly competitive Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week, labelling it the race of the spring.Kennewell is preparing two strong colts, Organised Crime and Mbube, for the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) set to take place on October 31.The former,...
Beadman benefits from return to Randwick
A homecoming to Randwick is expected to suit Beadman much better, after the promising sprinter fell victim to the Caulfield curse during a quick trip to Melbourne.The tricky Caulfield track has tripped up many a Sydney-trained galloper, and the four-year-old was one of them, getting too far back from a...
Caulfield Cup presents weighty challenge for Half Yours
Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the father-and-son training duo, are fully cognizant of the significant task that lies before them as Half Yours aims for a consecutive Caulfield Cup triumph.Having previously won the Cup with one of the lowest weights, Half Yours will now carry the burden of topweight in the...
St Leger Stakes runners still in Melbourne Cup calculations
Klondike, a former European import, has not followed a conventional Australian preparation for a staying event, but his trainers maintain confidence in his fitness and stamina.The gelding will contest Saturday's St Leger Stakes (2600m) in only his second start in 16 months, having been sidelined by a tendon injury subsequent...