Tim Clark chooses Alligator Blood over rich Sydney two-year-old race
Tim Clark is set to forgo riding at the Inglis Millennium meeting in Sydney in order to follow weight-for-age heavyweight Alligator Blood to Melbourne for his first-up run in the C F Orr Stakes.
Clark has combined with the Tulloch Lodge gelding for a trio of Group 1 wins and after partnering him to a 1000-metre barrier trial victory at Rosehill on Thursday, the top jockey says he is keen to stick with him again this campaign.
“I think the plan is to run in the C F Orr still, which is in just over two weeks’ time,” Clark said.
“It seems to fit in well with his program, from there to the Futurity (Stakes) and then hit the All-Star Mile third-up, and I think the Australian Cup after that.
“Unless something was to happen, it’s highly likely I will be going to Melbourne to ride him.
“He has been such a good horse to me so I’m keen to stick with him, hopefully it works out that way.”
Alligator Blood, who was having his second trial this time in, took out the first of the two Group heats with West Of Dalby edging out Lindermann in the other.
Clark gave the seven-year-old a couple of slaps down the shoulder to keep his mind on the job, but he looked to get through his work comfortably.
The hoop was also aboard Tulloch Lodge three-year-old Red Resistance, who finished a close third behind West Of Dalby, and said the colt felt much better than the last time he trialled him in August.
Red Resistance hasn’t raced for almost a year after being ruled of the Golden Slipper with a virus then failing to come up in the spring.
“Much better. He seemed to be wanting to do it,” Clark said.
“Last prep, he just wasn’t with it, but I was encouraged by the trial and he’s going to take good improvement off it.”
Smart sprinter Buenos Noches was also given a quite time in the same heat, finishing fifth and on the heels of the placegetters.
The C F Orr Stakes (1400m) is at Caulfield on February 10, the same day as the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick.
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