Allan Endresz is predicting his boom three-year-old Alligator Blood can produce a career best performance in the Australian Guineas at Flemington on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The $1 million feature will see a return clash between Alligator Blood and Catalyst who produced a stirring duel down the Flemington straight in the CS Hayes Stakes a fortnight ago.
The pair captured the imagination of the racing public in an epic contest with racecaller Matt Hill summing up the sentiments of most punters when he said "bring on the Guineas."
Like most punters Endresz is eagerly anticipating Saturday's re-match and has a bold assessment on how the race may unfold.
"I'm prepared to put myself out on a limb and say Alligator Blood will not only take Catalyst on but show him how to really race," Endresz said.
"It wouldn't surprise me to see Alligator Blood go to a new high and put the fear into Catalyst and the rest of his rivals for that matter.
"For their last encounter to be compared to the Cox Plate clash between Bonecrusher and Our Waverly Star - it's a massive accolade.
"I've honestly watched the replay more than 300 times and Catalyst looked to have his measure half-a-dozen times but my horse is a fighter."
IN OTHER NEWS
Despite Endresz's bold prediction, bookmakers expect Catalyst to gain some revenge on Alligator Blood.
Catalyst is quoted as the $2.60-favourite with Allligator Blood a $3.10-chance.
"I'm not surprised Catalyst is favourite - he is a great horse and it's going to take a huge effort to deny him victory in the Guineas," he said.
"I think punters see Catalyst as the fresh horse and close to peaking.
"The market is querying if it's possible that Alligator Blood can continue on his winning ways considering the campaign he has had.
"I definitely think he can."
After winning nine out of 10 career starts and more than $2 million in prizemoney, Alligator Blood is a once in a lifetime horse.
Already on cloud nine as a part-owner, Endresz said it would be a dream come true if Alligator Blood could capture the first group one victory of his short career.
"Winning a group one race is the lifelong dream that I have been longing for since I got into horses," he said.
"To win a group one would be a real privilege.
"It would also be Ryan's (Maloney) first group one win as well as the sire."
Alligator Blood and Catalyst will both carry 56.5kg after the former had a one kilogram weight advantage in their last meeting.
Tactically Alligator Blood may have to adopt similar tactics to last start and shoot for an all-the-way victory.
"That's the beauty of Alligator Blood, he is a versatile galloper and has the ability to lead and bring it on - we're not scared of that," he said.