If Alligator Blood has been the headline-hogger for All Too Hard, the Vinery stallion has an able deputy in the wonderful Behemoth who made Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 Magic Millions Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield his own.
Given a positive ride by Craig Williams, Behemoth gave nothing else a chance in recording a dominant one and a half length win over the Queensland derby winner Mr Quckie (Shamus Award) with the progressive 3yo Fastnet Rock colt Glenfiddich three-quarters of a length back in third.
It was the first Group 1 in 18 years for Behemoth’s trainer David Jolly and the 60th for Williams.
“I’m here because of the management of ownership group Grand Syndicates and Sam Lyons who gave David Jolly an open book in making this a Group One horse,” Williams said.
“He only had two starts in the autumn with the idea that he would build up to the spring.
“Todd Pannell gave me a really good report on his win in the (Group III) Spring Stakes and David said this was a different horse to the one you on at Moonee Valley and he delivered today.”
A bargain basement $6,000 purchase by Grand Syndicates out of the Riversdale draft at the 2017 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Behemoth advances his record to 6 wins and 4 seconds from 16 starts with earnings of $1,324,810.
Bred by Wallings Bloodstock, Behemoth is the fourth foal and second winner out of the stakes-winning Zedrich mare Penny Banger a half-sister to the Listed stakes-winner and Group 1 WATC Derby third Master Minx (Surtee).
The final foal of Penny Banger is a Scissor Kick filly who was knocked down to Dalziel Bloodstock / Peter Moody Racing / Mitch Freedman Racing for $85,000 at the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Named Danny's Sparkle she was second at her career debut at Echuca on July 26.
