The Listed Regal Roller Stakes in Melbourne looms as the likely race of choice for connections of promising Behemoth who also holds an entry for the Spring Stakes in Adelaide.
South Australian trainer David Jolly has accepted for Behemoth in both the Regal Roller (1100m) at Caulfield and the Group Three Spring Stakes (1200m) and said at this stage he was probably looking to head to the Melbourne race.
Jolly will study both fields on Wednesday but believes the conditions of the Regal Roller suit the four-year-old gelding better.
The Regal Roller has a field of nine with Behemoth to carry 55kg while under the weight-for-age conditions of the Spring Stakes at Morphettville he has 58.5kg, the same weight as Group One winners Scales Of Justice and Despatch.
“Caulfield probably looks a better option than at home,” Jolly said.
“Obviously there’s a bit more travel involved but the race in Adelaide, being weight-for-age has turned up a couple of Group One horses and he’s got to meet them at level weights.
“The other race is a handicap and he’s only one kilogram over the minimum.
“So that’s probably a big factor.”
A winner of two of his eight starts with four second placings, Behemoth was runner-up to Despatch in the Group One Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville in May and resumed from a let-up with a second to Assertive Approach in the Listed Lightning (1050m) at Morphettville late last month.
“He’s a big strong horse and he’s got a good deal of ability,” Jolly said.
Jolly has the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in early November in Sydney in mind for Behemoth who could progress to the Group One Memsie Stakes and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, both over 1400m at Caulfield, depending on his performance on Saturday.
“He hasn’t been beyond six furlongs (1200m) yet,” Jolly said.
“We think he will run further than six furlongs but he hasn’t been beyond that yet.”
