Gai Waterhouse insists the 2000m journey of the Might And Power at Caulfield on Saturday is Alligator Blood’s right distance.
Alligator Blood has won 14 times from his 32 starts over distances ranging from 1200m to 1800m but is yet to win in two attempts in the 2000m range.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained galloper finished fifth in the Might And Power last year before going on to run fifth in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley two weeks later.
As he did ahead of the Might And Power last year, Alligator Blood is coming off a victory in the Underwood Stakes (1800m).
Last year’s victory was against five opponents at Sandown while his most recent came in a field of 15 at Caulfield on September 23.
Waterhouse said Alligator Blood reminds her of previous stable stars Juggler and Grand Armee.
“He rolls up his sleeves, gets on with the job,” Waterhouse told RSN.
“It’s his right trip. He loves the 2000 metres.
“He’s a lovely, big strong horse and he’s in great order.”
Tim Clark reunites with Alligator Blood on Saturday after a fall on the eve of the gelding’s first-up run at Caulfield in September ruled him out.
Damien Oliver took to the saddle and claimed the Underwood on the seven-year-old.
“Tim’s won three Group 1’s on the gelding. He knows him backwards,” Waterhouse said.
Stablemate Just Fine will be out to extend his unbeaten Australian record when he lines-up against Alligator Blood on Saturday.
The pair dominate the betting with online bookies with Alligator Blood at $2.40 and Just Fine at $3.10.
Just Fine is dropping back in distance and rising to weight-for-age company after landing The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick at his most recent start.
“He’s coming back in trip, but he has travelled down really well,” Waterhouse said.
“He’s very much an English staying type of horse.
“He’s remarkably tough and if you go back to his previous race, he was being eyeballed by a horse on the inside and by another on the outside.
“He went whack at the end and I love those sorts of horses.”
Just Fine is not among the entries for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday week with the Waterhouse and Bott stable eyeing the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 7.