As his name suggests, Behemoth is a brute of a horse and he showed he had the talent to match his ample frame when the Western Australian-visitor proved a class above his rivals in the Caulfield feature.
A number of his opposition had high spring hopes, but they were deflated by the David Jolly-trained powerhouse who was given a gun ride by Craig Williams and Behemoth simply outmuscled them to leave no excuses.
For Jolly, it ended an 18-year wait for his second Group 1 victory after producing Zip Zip Aray (Bellotto {USA}) to win the 2002 Goodwood H., but for rider Craig Williams they have come as regular as clockwork as he’s now up to 60 top-flight successes.
None would have come with a more hulking partner as Behemoth though, who reversed the David and Goliath story by overshadowing a game runner-up Mr Quickie.
“You could see from his form and his record that the whole idea was the build-up to the spring. He only had two runs in the spring, and I was delighted with his first-up performance,” Williams said.
“You could see from his form and his record that the whole idea was the build-up to the spring.” – Craig Williams
Behemoth had won the G3 McKay S. in May and was then spelled after finishing fourth in the G1 Goodwood H. He returned to win a trial and then accounted for the highly-regarded Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) on his return in the G3 Spring S. at Morphettville.
“Todd Pannell gave me a very good report about how he felt from a jockey’s perspective and David, who has as great handle on this horse, said he’s a different horse than when you first rode him at Moonee Valley and in Adelaide,” Williams said.
Due to his towering stature, Behemoth isn’t the easiest of customers to load at the barrier.
“The history of the horse is that getting him into the gates is the problem. Thank you very much to the barrier attendants for the work that they do,” Williams said.
“I was able to utilise the good barrier and he was quite dominant, he’s done a really good job today. It’s a tough industry and every success is a great one and I’m not here without the guidance and upbringing of my two parents, my two brothers, and the team I have around me is amazing.
“Most importantly, is the other team at home, my family. It’s great that we can continue to keep racing through this pandemic and keep showcasing these amazing equine athletes.”
“It’s great that we can continue to keep racing through this pandemic and keep showcasing these amazing equine athletes.” – Craig Williams
Behemoth jumped well to settle in behind the pace set up by Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) and when the latter felt the pinch into the straight the gap opened for Williams.
His charge responded in electric fashion and took control of the race 200 metres from home to seal the deal.
Behemoth was first sold as a weanling for $120,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Sale before Grand Syndicates picked him up for the now bargain price of $6000 at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale with high x-ray issues the reason for the price differential.
"On the odd occasion we have used x-rays, I've had two different vets give me two different opinions as to where they sat on the spectrum of high risk or low risk," Grand Syndicates Racing Manager Sam Lyons subsequently told TDN AusNZ.
"I'm careful about letting x-rays talk you out of a horse you like, simply because you are resting on someone's opinion."
"I'm careful about letting x-rays talk you out of a horse you like, simply because you are resting on someone's opinion." – Sam Lyons
Behemoth is out of the Listed Schweppervescene Sprint H. winner Penny Banger (Zedrich), who is a half-sister to the stakes winner Mister Minx (Surtee) and further back in the family is the three-time Group 3 winner Latin Saint (Le Cordonnier {GB}).
Behemoth as a yearling
Mr Quickie (Shamus Award) turned in another fine first-up effort – he was third when fresh in last season’s G1 Makybe Diva S. – to fuel encouragement for his spring prospects.
“He jumped out so well the week prior and his work on Tuesday was super. We were thinking about going to the 1400 metre handicap, but I’m so pleased we didn’t and it’s a great result,” trainer Phillip Stokes said.
“Hopefully, he can hold his form and go on to bigger and better things. He’s a stronger horse and I can’t wait to get him to Flemington over a mile or further and maybe the Makybe Diva again or a race like that.”
The 3-year-old Glenfiddich (Fastnet Rock) did well to run third after looking awkward around the bend and Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) got home well from the back for fourth.
Disappointments of the race were the Group 1 winners Mystic Journey (Needs Further), Streets Of Avalon (Magnus), Regal Power (Pierro) and Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}) who were the last quartet home.
Hoof problem
Meanwhile, the campaign of Arcadia Queen (Pierro) has suffered a setback when the mare had to be withdrawn on race morning from the Memsie.
Arcadia Queen was scratched on race morning due to an abscess
Breeder and owner Bob Peters confirmed his Grant and Alana Williams-trained 5-year-old was counted out by a foot abscess.
“It’s disappointing and we just have to get her over it. We’ll keep going and see what happens,” Peters said.
Hopes had been high for Arcadia Queen at Caulfield following an eye-catching effort to finish fifth in the G2 PB Lawrence S. when resuming a fortnight ago.