Whether it be in the boardroom or the racetrack, Allan Endresz lives by an old adage - it's not how many times you get knocked down that counts, it's how many times you get back up.
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Endresz has regularly been in the spotlight during the past two decades with his legal battle where he is suing the federal government for $4.3 billion compensation.
He said the long-running case could be in its final stages.
But in the meantime he has a welcome distraction as part-owner of unbeaten three-year-old Alligator Blood.
Alligator Blood has created a huge impression in five career starts.
The David Vandyke-trained galloper produced an eye-popping debut win in a Sunshine Coast maiden in December.
The bay gelding has since enhanced his reputation with two further wins on the Sunshine Coast and a Doomben victory.
Alligator Blood stormed into Caulfield Guineas calculations after winning the prelude a fortnight ago with regular jockey Ryan Maloney aboard.
Endresz - who has part-owned dozens of gallopers - knows he may have finally found the horse that could have life changing ramifications.
"He is an incredible animal," Endresz said.
"It is certainly shaping as one of the biggest weekends of my life.
"Alligator Blood running and the imminent news about having a victory in my court case.
"The stars are starting to align for me - unofficially I'm expecting a big victory and my QC is pretty excited.
"It would be nice if both results went my way."
Endresz races the galloper with his uncle and aunt Geoff and Robyn Simpson who are based on the Sunshine Coast.
The trio purchased the horse for $55,000 from last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The syndicate own several other gallopers and prefer the onus and challenge of choosing which yearlings to purchase between themselves.
Endresz is credited with naming the son of All Too Hard as Alligator Blood.
"People at the sales affectionately call us dumb, dumber and Robyn," he said.
"The horse is big Al and I'm little Al.
"I called him Alligator Blood because it sums up the people associated with the horse.
"The term Alligator Blood is not only used in poker but is often used by aspiring entrepreneurs.
"If you have got Alligator Blood you are tenacious, resilient and whether you win or lose you never give up and you just keep going."
Endresz, Vandyke and Maloney have all had to conquer their own personal demons and call on their 'Alligator Blood.'
The Albury businessman has been fighting bankruptcy for most of the past two decades and having almost all of his assets subject to court freezing orders.
Vandyke's and Maloney's battles have also been well documented.
At his lowest point, Vandyke was living out of his car in Sydney's King Cross addicted to drugs including cocaine as well as drinking heavily.
Maloney also battled with the bottle and the black dog as his career threatened to spiral out of control after testing positive to a banned stimulant in March last year.
"David has had to overcome his fair share of adversity to get to where he is today," Endresz said.
"He has had a terrible journey and had to deal with drug addiction and heroin in his early days as a trainer.
"He was even suicidal.
"Ryan, our jockey was similar in that he had to overcome depression.
"He got suspended for 12 months and attacked the bottle and was in the depths of despair with depression.
"He was thanking us the other night for the opportunity but we are all in the same boat
"I haven't reached those depths but I know the pressures relating to money and finance.
"Everybody in the media has written everything under the sun about me.
"Even people that don't know me, making me out to be a crook and a scoundrel.
"But you just deal with that and get sunk quite often and have your head under water.
"But I've learnt that you have to find a way to overcome that and keep fighting."
We have had $3300 each-way at 200/1 the win and 40/1 the place. We could be laughing all the way to the bank on Saturday considering he is a $5 chance now.
- Allan Endresz
Endresz said because of their common bond, Vandyke and Maloney were like family.
"David and Ryan are an inspiration and we call ourselves family," he said.
"Initially I was more worried about David taking me on with my background with bankruptcies and getting out of those.
"But when we first met I was fully transparent about my background and made sure he was comfortable with that.
"Ever since then David and Ryan have shared their hardships and what they have had to overcome and their amazing stories of overcoming adversity.
"They are worse than anything I've ever encountered
"I don't do drugs or heroin or have ever contemplated suicide."
Endresz is staring down a jaw-dropping collect if Alligator Blood can keep his unbeaten record intact.
First prize for the $2 million dollar feature is a cool $1.2 million.
The icing on the cake is a future's bet Endresz placed several months ago.
Armed with the knowledge that Alligator Blood's long-term goal was the Guineas, Endresz snapped up the 200/1 on offer.
"We knew what the horse could do and when he missed a vital lead-up in Sydney he blew out in the futures markets," he said.
"I said to Geoff we know what we have got, we would be stupid not to back him at those odds.
"We have had $3300 each-way at 200/1 the win and 40/1 the place.
"We could be laughing all the way to the bank considering he is a $5 chance now."
Alligator Blood is the son of All Too Hard who is a half-brother to champion galloper Black Caviar.
All Too Hard won the Caulfield Guineas in 2012.
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The four-time group 1 winner also finished runner-up in the Cox Plate as a three-year-old.
All Too Hard retired to stud as a four-year-old with the imposing record of 12 starts for seven wins and three minor placings and in excess of $2 million in prizemoney.
Although All Too Hard has been a huge success as a sire, his progeny are yet to win at the elite group one level.
Despite the prospect of a massive windfall, Endresz said being a part-owner of a horse the calibre of Alligator Blood had given him an experience money can't buy.
He revealed the owners recently knocked backed a staggering $2 million offer from Hong Kong interests.
"We have been offered some big money including $2 million from Hong Kong a week ago," he said.
"We are of the opinion we have a once in a lifetime opportunity with this horse.
"The financial side of him winning doesn't mean a hell of a lot to me.
"I've had money that has been frozen for 20 years as well as lots of investments.
"What I educate a lot of people about is not fearing bankruptcy and protecting your assets.
"Money is wonderful and makes the journey in life a lot easier.
"But for a passionate racing fan like me the honour and glory of owning a Caulfield Guineas winner is priceless.
"The honour roll is unbelievable with champions such as Vain, Tulloch and Lonhro.
"Even Alligator Blood's sire All Too Hard scored an against the odds win against the boom horse at the time in Pierro in the Caulfield Guineas.
"Let's hope his son can emulate his old man in the Guineas and become the first ever All Too Hard progeny to win a group 1."
Alligator Blood has remained a firm $5 second favourite after Tuesday's crucial barrier draw.
The favourite Dalasan has drifted from $2.50 to $3.50 since drawing barrier 18 in the field comprising 16-starters plus three emergencies.
"I'm just excited that we are in the race," he said.
"Al has been amazing and an inspiration to all involved."