While Alligator Blood has played a starring role during summer culminating in his emphatic Magic Millions Guineas win, the only horse to have beaten him is steadily building towards his return.
Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth stepped out in a jump-out at Flemington last Friday and will have another next week before making his race return.
Super Seth charged home late to grab the David Vandyke-trained Alligator Blood in the final stride in the Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 12 before being sent for a spell.
Alligator Blood’s summer campaign in his home state of Queensland has yielded wins in the Listed Gold Edition Plate, Group Three Vo Rogue Plate and Saturday’s $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, taking his record to eight wins and a second from nine starts.
The Anthony Freedman-trained Super Seth finished third in Friday’s 800m jump-out, won by fellow Group One-winning colt Microphone.
“He was only just going for his first soft hit-out,” assistant Sam Freedman said.
“We got him off the farm (Pinecliff) and took him up to Flemington and he jumped out really well.
“He tracked up behind them and Mark Zahra rode him and was really happy with his action.
“He had a nice blow afterwards so he’ll have another trial and then we’ll look to get him back to the races in the next three weeks.”
The Group Three Manfred Stakes (1200m) for three-year-olds at Caulfield on February 1 is Super Seth’s likely return.
“He’s settling a lot better in his work and seems to be relaxing really nicely which is a good sign for him,” he said.
“He was a bit fierce and hadn’t quite put it all together last preparation until his grand final.
“He seems to be going the right way that’s for sure.”
Super Seth and Alligator Blood could clash again in the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington in late February.
The Freedman-trained Victoria Derby winner Warning is scheduled to have a jump-out on Wednesday at Mornington, with the Australian Derby in Sydney his main autumn target.