Behemoth out to go one better in Goodwood

Behemoth will contest the Group One Goodwood.
Trainer David Jolly says Behemoth has had an ideal preparation to win The Goodwood in Adelaide.

David Jolly is convinced last year’s runner-up Behemoth has had a better lead-up into his second attempt to win The Goodwood in Adelaide.

But the trainer also believes the four-year-old gelding will be facing a stronger field than he did a year ago in South Australia’s premier sprint race at Morphettville on Saturday.

Behemoth was a close second to Despatch in the 2019 Goodwood (1200m) coming off an unplaced run in the Euclase Stakes for three-year-olds the start before.

He has been aimed at the race again and goes in off a pleasing second to proven wet-track performer Jungle Edge in the Group Three McKay Stakes (1100m) on a soft track on May 2 first-up from a spell.

“He had a bit of a tough run in the Euclase last year and mentally was a bit off the boil after that,” Jolly said.

“I had to really play around with him after the Euclase and I was never really confident leading into The Goodwood but he ran super.

“Since then he’s done a bit of travel to Sydney and he’s really developed mentally.

“He’s certainly had a much better preparation leading into it compared to last year but in contrast to that I reckon the race is a better race this year.

“It’s a very strong edition.”

The Gordon Richards-trained Group One Lightning Stakes winner Gytrash, who has come of age this season, is also back for his second attempt at The Goodwood and was the $3.70 favourite on Thursday in a field which includes fellow Group One winners Santa Ana Lane, Trekking, Sunlight and Lyre.

Behemoth, who was bought by Grand Syndicates for $6000 as a yearling, has won three of his 13 starts with five seconds and was at $14 on Thursday.

“I can’t be happier with the horse,” Jolly said.

“His draw (barrier 7) is perfect. I think the conditions will be ideal.

“It will just be a matter of whether a few of those better ones turn up or not.

“There looks to be a bit more pressure than in last year’s race up the top of the speed which I think will suit my bloke.”

Jolly won the Goodwood with Zip Zip Array in 2002, his lone Group One win as a trainer.

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