Two-time Group 1 winner Behemoth is set to kick off his All-Star Mile campaign on Saturday in the Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville.
The David Jolly trained gelding faces only the six rivals this weekend after acceptances this morning. The early market has him as the $1.40 favourite in the small field.
Behemoth was able to triumph in both the Group 1 Memsie and Sir Rupert Clarke during last year’s Spring Carnival. He was then set the huge task of conquering The Everest against some of the world’s best sprinters where he finished a brave 10th.
However, this preparation Behemoth will step up in trip ultimately ending up in the All-Star Mile. But first he tackles the 1100 metre dash this weekend and is coming along nicely according to trainer David Jolly.
“He’s coming along nicely, he’s probably not 100% wound up,” said trainer David Jolly on SEN track.
“He’s had three to four grass gallops, one gallop in between races and a jump out last week at Murray Bridge and he had a nice final gallop this morning and had a little bit of a blow but recovered well.”
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Punters should tread warily after Jolly warned that Saturday’s $100,000 sprint will almost be treated as his second trial.
“Being only 1100 at home, weight for age we are almost sort of treating that as his second trial
“Probably Kemalpasa is the horse that is more effective than him under six furlongs but it’ll be a good battle.”
Following Saturday’s assignment Behemoth goes to The Futurity on the 20th of February before peaking third up in the All-Star Mile on the 13th of March.
“The Futurity would be nice to win on the way through but it’s sort of all about the All-Star Mile really
“We haven’t really discussed beyond the All-Star Mile really with Sam and the connections.”
Behemoth is currently a $12 chance for the All-Star Mile.
For the full All-Star Mile market click here
