Alligator Blood recovered from a nightmare float trip to storm to victory in the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
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The David Vandyke-trained galloper provided a massive pay day for Border-based part owner Allan Endresz, winning almost $1.2 million in prize money.
A start in the race was in doubt when Alligator Blood's float was delayed following a major accident involving a truck on the Pacific Motorway north of the Gold Coast.
The petrol tanker was tipped onto its side when it collided with two cars and threatened to jeopardise the plans of many Gold Coast runners, including Alligator Blood.
A police escort was required to get the red-hot race favourite to the track on time, with stewards clearing the three-year-old for the race.
To add another layer of drama, the start of the Guineas was delayed by more than 10 minutes when Leviathian broke through the barriers and galloped a lap of the course before being withdrawn.
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Alligator Blood, with jockey Ryan Maloney on board, started a raging $1.80 favourite and put all the day's events behind him to score a comfortable win by two lengths in the 1400m race.
Endresz said it was a "different sort of feeling" throughout the day.
"It's a funny feeling because it's not a great consequence in your life, there's no impact financially or to your health, but for the participation and for the years you put in and those around you, suddenly there's a level of responsibility," he said.
"The trainer David (Vandyke) was anxious, Ryan (Maloney) is wondering what's going on and then you start to realise there's this massive crowd and people are putting lots of money on him and you start to think you're letting people down, through no fault of your own.
"It was a different sort of pressure, but it's exciting to think of the support we had from the racing club and the crowd was enormous.
"We were worried for 'Al' because the extended journey meant he couldn't have his normal routine, so he was dehydrated and went out not as he normally should.
"To see him position on that turn and the strength of 'Al', it was a proud moment."
Alligator Blood has been made favourite for the Australian Guineas and equal favourite for the All-Star Mile at Flemington in the autumn carnival.