The second running of The Gong will be without one of its star attractions, Alligator Blood to miss the $1 million race.
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Former Kembla Grange trainer David Vandyke had hoped to finish the four-year-old's Sydney campaign at his old track on November 21, but instead sent the horse to the paddock.
A winner of five black-type races, including the Group 1 Australian Guineas, Alligator Blood struggled to reach his best in three tough starts.
The gelding fought on to finish second in the Silver Eagle before running a disappointing 15th on a wet track in the Golden Eagle.
It was that showing that saw the trainer end Alligator Blood's campaign and give him a break.
"He's in the paddock," Vandyke said.
"He didn't perform well in the Golden Eagle, we felt that he'd be best placed in the paddock after a below par performance."
The $1 million race is likely to have a local flavour, with Kerry Parker's Think It Over expected to line up.
John Thompson is also eyeing the race for Purple Sector, part-owned by Kiama's Matthew Sandblom, while Kris Lees has suggested Chief Ironside will run in The Gong if he does not contest this Saturday's The Hunter.
While disappointed to miss out on the chance to compete at Kembla Grange, Vandyke is optimistic he can return to his former track in the coming years to contest the lucrative race.
"It would've been nice, but it is what it is. I'm not going to get there, I may get back there one day.
"It would be nice to win the feature race on what used to be my home track."
Vandyke entered the preparation with high hopes, many expecting the Queensland horse to dominate.
The campaign had a number of challenges, the trainer unable to travel to NSW due to border closures.
Vandyke will take the coming weeks to reassess his plans, but remains hopeful Alligator Blood can enjoy success in the future.
"I'm going to sit down with the owners over the next week, they're in isolation at the moment, and work out a plan forward.
"It wasn't a preparation we were expecting. After the Australian guineas, if you told me he'd get beat in his next four starts, I would've been surprised, but that's just the way it happened.
"He put in a brave performance in the Silver Eagle to run second, but it would've been nice if he'd won a race this prep.
"We'll see how he comes up next prep, hopefully we'll see him back in the winners stall."