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Todd’s Golden Opportunity Aboard Behemoth

Todd Pannell is one of Australia’s most in-form jockeys and local stars. Todd will get to display his talent on the big stage when he rides Behemoth in Saturday’s Golden Eagle.

David Jolly’s Behemoth will start as a $101 outsider in the $7.5million Golden Eagle at Rosehill and the return to NSW will be a homecoming of sorts for the 2018-19 John Letts Medallist.   

"I’m very excited to be riding in Sydney again. I haven’t ridden there since I was apprentice with the Hawkes stable,” Pannell said.

It’s been a massive 2019 for Pannell after collecting his first Group 1 win aboard Despatch in the Goodwood and now a ride in one of Australia’s richest races.

Good form has played a big part in getting Pannell the ride on one of Australia’s most exciting prospects but it’s a ride he didn’t really expect to get.

"I never chased the ride at all but I’ve been riding a bit for David here and certainly winning the Penny Edition on him would of pushed me up the list of who would ride him.”

“I just go with the flow and respect any trainer or owners decision with their choice of rider and I’m thrilled they’ve gone with me to ride the horse in such a big race."

You can see why David Jolly has entrusted Pannell with one of his most exciting runners. This season the Pannell/Jolly combination has been lethal combining for nine rides for four wins and four placings. 

Pannell also rode Behemoth to the Listed Penny Edition victory in August and is undefeated in three rides aboard Jolly's other stable star, the three-year-old Roccabascerana who contested the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas earlier in the month. 

Behemoth ran home strongly after missing the start in the lead-up race the Silver Eagle. Off that run it looks like the 1500m will suit him nicely but he comes up against a very hot field including the three placegetters in that race including The Inevitable, Fasika and Mizzy.

The quality doesn’t stop there in the race which includes Group 1 Epsom winner Kolding and three runners out of The Everest including Classique Legend, Arcadia Queen and our other local hope Sunlight.

"Hopefully everything goes right for him Saturday and he’s drawn to get a good run in the race. One thing that’s in his favour I think is he will appreciate the distance so fingers crossed he runs a big race."

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