He’s a Winner- No Stopping Behemoth

Mark Smith - Saturday September 19

For one magical moment, it looked like Dollar For Dollar and his half-sister Pretty Brazen would fight out a historic 1-2 in Saturday’s Group 1 Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield, but down the outside with thundering strides came the menacing presence of the imposing Behemoth.

Behemoth winning Group ones for fun (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Carrying the top-weight of 60kgs under Craig Williams, the in-form son of All Too Hard won almost contemptuously. With ears pricked the David jolly-trained gelding defeated the brave Dollar For Dollar (High Chaparral) by a length with a nose back to Pretty Brazen (Brazen Beau) in third.

Behemoth has started the new season with a bang. He captured the Group III Spring Stakes at Morphettville on August 15 before adding the Group 1 Memsie Stakes over the same course and distance of the Rupert Clarke on August 29.

It was a sixth win in the race for Williams following Barely A Moment (2005), Rewaaya (2006), Response (2010), Toorak Toff (2011) and Stratum Star (2015).

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"It's a special race for my family as Dad won it as a jockey and as a trainer," Williams said.

"We had a challenge carrying 60 kilos but it was on a 56 kilo minimum. He was the best horse in the race and he made my job easy.

"It's a credit to David Jolly and his team and also to Sam Lyons and Grand Syndicates with what they've done with him."

Bred by Walings Bloodstock, Behemoth was a bargain-basement $6,000 purchase by Grand Syndicates out of the Riversdale draft at the 2017 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.

The son of All Too Hard had previously made $120,000 to the bid of Heritage bloodstock out of the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2016 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.

Behemoth a $6,000 Magic Millions yearling

 Behemoth advances his record to 7 wins and 4 seconds from 17 starts with earnings of $1,627,290.

He is the best of two winners from five to race out of the stakes-winning Zedrich mare Penny Banger who is 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 3yo Scissor Kick filly named Danny's Sparkle who was knocked down to Dalziel Bloodstock / Peter Moody Racing / Mitch Freedman Racing for $85,000 at the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. She was second at her career debut at Echuca on July 26.

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Race Result - Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Gr1 1400m

Caulfield Track: Good(3) Time: 1:23.84
1
Behemoth
- 5g All Too Hard (AUS) x Penny Banger (AUS) (Zedrich (AUS))
Tnr: D R Jolly Rdr: Craig Williams 60
All Too Hard
2
1.0
Dollar For Dollar
- 8g High Chaparral (IRE) x Pretty Penny (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: L Nolen 56.5
3
1.1
Pretty Brazen
- 4m Brazen Beau (AUS) x Pretty Penny (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: L Currie 54.5
4
1.4
Achernar Star
- 6g Gingerbread Man (AUS) x Morine (AUS) (Danetime (IRE))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: J Mott 55.5
5
1.6
Reykjavik
- 6h Artie Schiller (USA) x Gibraltar Storm (AUS) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: D Yendall 56
6
1.8
Tagaloa
- 3c Lord Kanaloa (JPN) x Vasilissa (JPN) (Heart's Cry (JPN))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: M J Walker 54
7
1.9
Madam Rouge
- 5m Zoustar (AUS) x Cabernet (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Melham 56
7
1.9
Banquo
- 4h Written Tycoon (AUS) x Noondie (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
9
2.4
Mandela Effect
- 6g Turffontein (AUS) x Morell (AUS) (West Quest (CAN))
Tnr: Scott Brunton Rdr: C Newitt 56
10
2.5
Age Of Chivalry
- 5g He's Remarkable (NZ) x Onyx (NZ) (Kaapstad (NZ))
Tnr: M Ellerton & S Zahra Rdr: Damian Lane 55.5
11
2.8
Cascadian
- 6g New Approach (IRE) x Falls Of Lora (IRE) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 58
12
3.2
Superstorm
- 4g Sebring (AUS) x Stormy Nova (AUS) (Metal Storm (FR))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 57
13
3.4
Begood Toya Mother
- 6g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Lady Of Helena (NZ) (Kaapstad (NZ))
Tnr: Daniel Bowman Rdr: Declan Bates 58
14
3.5
Harlech
- 4h Darci Brahma (NZ) x Obsession (NZ) (Bachelor Duke (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: M J Dee 54
15
6.2
Streets Of Avalon
- 6g Magnus (AUS) x Kamuniak (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: S P Nichols Rdr: D W Stackhouse 58.5
16
21.2
Debt Agent
- 8g Thorn Park (AUS) x Prompt Payment (IRE) (In The Wings (GB))
Tnr: J T Conlan Rdr: W Egan 54.5
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