Behemoth has settled well at Caulfield as he chases a second successive Group 1 victory in Saturday’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m).
Trainer David Jolly said the reports were all positive from Melbourne, where he is marked a $4.20 favourite with tab.com.au.
Behemoth has been kept fresh at Jolly’s Goolwa base ahead of the Rupert Clarke and Jolly, like many form judges, is unsure just how having to lug 60kg in the feature will play out.
“I can’t fault the horse,” Jolly said.
“He’s arrived in Melbourne in good shape – it’s just the weight.
“Previous history tells you it’s not a great weight-carrier race, but in saying that the minimum used to be a lot lower.
“He’s got a good barrier draw, but I always feel low-weighted horses can run well in these handicap races.”
Meanwhile at Morphettville Jolly said he was looking forward to seeing what promising mare Lakhani Rose can deliver this preparation after three runs during the Adelaide Festival of Racing that all resulted in seconds.
Jolly said the plan was to stretch her out further as she progressed this campaign.
“We’re thinking that we will try and get her out to 1400m this time around, so she’s not 100 per cent wound up for Saturday,” Jolly said.
“She’s carrying a little bit of condition; her coat is on the move and she certainly has improvement to come.
“She’s a bit vulnerable with the weight. There are some variables in a race like this, but I’m really happy with where she’s at and she could certainly win with the right run. I’m just not sure how the track will race with the predicted rain.”
Likewise, Jolly said Thompson’s Reward was a horse more than capable on his day, coming off a solid effort when he flashed home only to be nosed out by Take Off last time out.
“He was good the other day,” he said. “As you know he doesn’t win out of turn but it’s a nice race and he might get a high tempo which would really suit him.”
IMAGE: racenet.com.au
