By Glenn Davis
Star galloper Alligator Blood will make his long-awaited comeback in the Listed Goldmarket Handicap at the Gold Coast on Friday but the man who knows him best – former trainer David Vandyke – isn’t afraid to take him on with Desert Lord.
Vandyke has rolled the dice with Desert Lord, who also was an acceptor for the Open Handicap at Doomben on Saturday and elected to start him in the 1200-metre Listed Goldmarket.
Alligator Blood will be having his first start for new trainer Bill Healey after having won nine of his 15 starts and more than $1.8 million in prizemoney for Vandyke before his stable change.
His biggest win in a controversial career was in the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington in February last year.
“I’m 90 per cent certain of running Desert Lord in the Goldmarket as it’s a nice race for him coming off a freshen up,” Vandyke said.
“I favoured the Goldmarket over Doomben as 1200 metres fresh with only 54kg on his back is enticing.
“I think he’ll run very well against my old horse and we’ll be delighted if he can at least place in another Listed race like he did in the Glasshouse.”
Desert Lord drew barrier three in the Goldmarket and being on the minimum 54kgs helped sway Vandyke’s decision to run against Alligator Blood.
The seven-year-old has not started since finishing third to King Of Hastings in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap over 1400 metres on his home track at the Sunshine Coast on July 11.
“He’s had a barrier trial and went okay and he’s done well since and has a good record fresh,” Vandyke said.
Desert Lord did his early racing under the Team Hawkes banner in Sydney and has won three times and placed only another three occasions in seven starts for Vandyke.
The only time he missed a place was when he finished seventh to the Mark Currie-trained Soxagon in The Buffering at Eagle Farm in January.
Alligator Blood is listed a $4.40 favourite for the Goldmarket despite Healey declaring he could be vulnerable at his first start in 10 months.
Alligator Blood was transferred to Healey after undergoing back surgery when finishing down the track in the Golden Eagle at Rosehill in October last year.
The now five-year-old showed his career was back on track with an easy barrier trial win at the Gold Coast earlier this month.
An interstate campaign could be on the agenda if Alligator Blood returns to his best.