All Too Hard is coming off another black-type weekend in the countdown for Alligator Blood’s grand-final in the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
His first-crop son Cuba claimed the Filante Hcp (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday to register his first win since the National Sprint LR at Canberra in March. It also sent his bank-balance past $500,000 for John McGrath’s Joy Luck Syndicate.
The Vinery champion followed up with another first-crop cameo when All Too Huiying won the Sale Cup LR on Sunday. He was on a seven-day back-up following a Kilmore Cup LR victory on October 18 for owner Amy Feng.
“That was a dominant display from Cuba,” trainer John Thompson declared. “He went terrible down at Caulfield a fortnight ago but his second-up record has always been horrendous. He usually bounces back and it was masterful front-running ride from Nash (Rawiller) today.”
Cuba (6g All Too Hard – Tabasco Kitten by Redoute’s Choice) is from a winning half-sister to Alizes (Magic Night Stakes Gr.2). Second-dam La Baraka won The Galaxy Gr.1 in 1998 and third-dam Triscay was Australia’s Champion 2YO and 3YO Filly in 1990-91.
All Too Huiying demolished his rivals in the Sale Cup and the plan to target country features has well and truly paid off. The Heavy 10 conditions were of no concern as apprentice Michael Hoy sent him five lengths clear after sitting on the speed.
He was a $150,000 graduate out of the Mill Park draft to the 2016 Adelaide Magic Millions and has earned over $720,000.
All Too Huiying (6h All Too Hard – Madame Flurry by Perugino) is a half-brother to stakes winners Good Journey, Danish Twist and Heart Of A Lion. Their dam has a 2yo filly by All Too Hard and a yearling filly by Russian Revolution.
Alligator Blood arrived in All Too Hard’s third crop and trainer David Vandyke is hoping he draws an inside barrier in what will be a capacity field for the Golden Eagle at Rosehill this Saturday.
The prospect of a wet track will also be a factor although he did win the C S Hayes Stakes Gr.3 at Flemington on a Soft 5 in February. “There is not much we can do about the weather,’’ Vandyke said. “But I hope we’re in close to give Ryan (Maloney) some options.”
CUBA