After being in danger of cancellation, the two-year-old race at Eagle Farm has received an additional four entries taking the nominations to eight.
A field of five is needed to ensure a race is run in Queensland and Saturday’s 1300m-handicap is an important step for unbeaten colt Alligator Blood trained by David Vandyke.
Alligator Blood has won both his starts at the Sunshine Coast, the latest on January 26.
To overcome the month between runs, Vandyke sent Alligator Blood to the Sunshine Coast trials last ahead of a trip to either Sydney or Melbourne.
Jeff Lloyd allowed Alligator Blood to drop out early before he ran home wide on the track to be third in the trial.
Depending on how he runs on Saturday, Alligator Blood will head to Sydney for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper on March 23 or Melbourne for the Group Two VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes on March 9.
He has also been nominated for the Group One ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes on April 6.
“I am keen for him to be ridden with a sit because I think he is better suited as a chaser rather being on the pace like last start,” Vandyke said.
Vandyke is also looking at a southern trip for three-year-old filly Baccarat Baby who won a heat at the Sunshine Coast trials.
She is likely to have her first start since finishing fifth in the Group One Flight Stakes at Randwick in the spring in a Class Six Plate (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Vandyke has nominated Baccarat Baby for the Surround Stakes, Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas, Australian Oaks and Coolmore Legacy during the Sydney autumn.
“I haven’t decided which way to go yet but we have plenty of options,” he said.
