Group1 Goodwood favourite Behemoth will make his first public appearance since the All-Star Mile in a gallop between races at Strathalbyn today.
Trainer David Jolly said it was as much about mental stimulation as a fitness exercise for the dual Group 1 winner, who will be hoping it will be a case of third time lucky in South Australia’s premier sprint feature at Morphettville on May 15.
Behemoth was narrowly beaten by Despatch in the 2019 edition before he flashed home from the back of the field for a second successive year behind Trekking and Gytrash last year.
“I think he’ll have a gallop with Bajan…” Jolly said.
“It will be nondescript, it’s more about getting him out and about.
“He’s had a couple of gallops on his own, we’re just pottering along with him at this stage.”
Jolly said the horse had 10 days in the paddock following his game All-Star Mile run, where he led at his first go at a mile and was beaten just 3.75 lengths behind Mugatoo in wet conditions at Moonee Valley.
“He hasn’t done a lot,” Jolly said.
“We’ve just been ticking him along. I’d like to jump him out next week, but we haven’t really nailed anything down.”
The plan is to search for a couple of suitable trials or gallops between now and the Goodwood. The Group 3 D C McKay Stakes (1100m), the race Behemoth won last year after winner Jungle Edge was disqualified, is an option.
