Multiple Group 1 winner Alligator Blood has been given the green light to race in Victoria in the upcoming Melbourne Spring Carnival, with Gerry Harvey purchasing a 60% majority share in the horse.
Earlier in August, Racing Victoria stewards put a ban on Allan Endresz owning and racing horses in the state, which would have forced Alligator Blood to race elsewhere.
The six-year-old son of All Too Hard was owned by the Ezybonds No 1 syndicate, managed by Endresz, but that business has officially relinquished 100% ownership and management, paving the way for the $2.8 million earner to race in all Australian states.
In a Facebook post, Endresz wrote that selling the horse was “one of the most emotional and toughest decisions” he has ever had to make.
“Selling AB was one of the the most emotional and toughest decisions I have ever made in a long time,” Endresz wrote.
“In the end, my family and I are extremely grateful and humbled that Gerry Harvey has saved AB’s Australian racing career in the interests of racing. As AB’s breeder, Gerry has always had a soft spot for AB and supported Adrian Bott’s comments when he said, ‘No good having a Ferrari locked up in the garage’.
“It has never been about the money. The Ezybonds (No 1) Syndicate declined a $3.2 million offer for AB some years ago. We simply loved AB too much and just wanted to see him race. AB proved the doubters wrong as he swept to victory in the G1 2022 Stradbroke after back surgery and an extended period of rehabilitation.”
Trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, the last-start Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) winner is expected to be among the nominations for the first Group 1 of the Melbourne racing season this Saturday.
Caulfield will play host to the $1 million Memsie Stakes (1400m), where Alligator Blood is an $8 chance with online bookmakers.
The horse is expected to target the $5 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday, October 22.
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