Star South Australian galloper Behemoth is set to defend his Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes crown at Caulfield.
The D J Jolly-trained galloper won the race last year carrying 60kg under Craig Williams having won the Group 1 Memsie Stakes in the lead up.
Behemoth was successful in the Memsie on Saturday, defeating fellow South Australian Beau Rossa, when ridden by Brett Prebble, who picked up the ride following Jamie Kah’s suspension for a COVID breach.
Williams had elected to partner Tofane after guiding the Mike Moroney-trained mare to successive Group 1 wins over 1400m in Queensland during the winter.
Sam Lyons, from Grand Syndications, part-owner of Behemoth, took to social media on Monday to declare Williams would be back aboard the gelding in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
“The champ will be looking for back to back wins G1 wins in the race,” Lyons posted on Twitter.
“And he looks to have pulled up enormous after his third impressive G1 win.”
By heading to the Sir Rupert Clarke, Behemoth is following the same program as last year.
He won the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville first-up before taking out the Memsie Stakes.
Saturday’s victory was Behemoth’s 10th from 24 starts and pushed his prize money to almost $3.2 million having been purchased for $6000 as a yearling.
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au