Caulfield races: Behemoth wins Memsie Stakes, results
Enormous in name and nature, South Australian heavyweight Behemoth has emerged as a potential Cox Plate contender after an emphatic victory in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes.
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Enormous in name and nature, Behemoth has emerged as a potential centenary Cox Plate contender after an emphatic victory in the $750,000 Memsie Stakes, Victoria’s first Group 1 of the season.
Standing 17 hands and tipping the scales at almost 600kg, the imposing Behemoth could be shunted into a collision with premier weight-for-age combatants after proving his wares at the highest level.
Giving Craig Williams his third win in the race following success after Vega Magic (2017) and Miss Finland (’07), Behemoth justified status as $3.30 favourite to down Mr Quickie ($14) and Glenfiddich ($6) at Caulfield on Saturday.
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Morphettville trainer David Jolly was ecstatic after his $6000 purchase collected the $450,000 winners’ cheque.
“That was just brilliant. When he landed in the right spot I thought he’d be hard to beat,” Jolly said, speaking from Adelaide.
“When we drew inside (barrier two), some people thought that wasn’t a good thing but I was happy. He was able to take a spot and stretch out. I said to Craig to use him from the gate, be a little aggressive. It worked out so well. I’d have loved to have been there.”
The $6k buy Behemoth wins the Group 1 @mmsnippets Memsie Stakes!
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 29, 2020
What a story, what a win. @GrandSyndicates @DJollyRacing @SamTaweets pic.twitter.com/1IB7VSzzRA
Jolly said he would discuss the lightly-raced gelding’s next objectives with the ownership group.
“We’ll bring him home and talk about where we go,” he said. “He does have an entry for the Cox Plate but we’re not sure whether to take a handicap or weight-for-age path with him.
“I’m very mindful that he was more forward in his preparation than many of the others but it all worked out so well today.
“It’s been a long time since my last Group 1 win — The Goodwood — but I’ve had a few near misses in Adelaide and Melbourne.”
Williams deflected all of the credit to Jolly and SA jockey Todd Pannell, who had briefed the champion rider on Behemoth’s quirks.
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“Todd Pannell gave him a really good report about how he thought he was from a jockey’s perspective,” Williams said after notching his 60th Group 1.
“David, who’s got a great handle on these horses, said, ‘Craig he’s a different horse than when you first rode him at Moonee Valley and also in Adelaide a year and a half ago’ and he surely delivered today.
“I was able to utilise a really good barrier and he was quite dominant so he’s done a really good job off a hot speed today.”
Williams paid tribute to his team after reaching 60 wins at the highest level.
“Every success is a great one,” he said. “But I’m not here without the guidance, the upbringing I had from my parents and my two brothers, and the team I have around me is just an amazing team and I can’t thank them enough.
“And most importantly the other team I have at home, my family, and it’s great that we can keep racing through this pandemic.”
Wizard weaves his magic
Lifting the gloom around Regal Power’s Memsie Stakes performance, Perth mare Perfect Jewel logged her sixth black-type success as William Pike enhanced his reputation as last-race king with Cockram Stakes victory.
Landing her fourth Group 3 win – and a river of decent bets – Perfect Jewel ($10) provided Pike with a trademark finish to the meeting.
“She’s done a great job, this mare. She had 12 months there where she was a bit quiet but the team at home have done a super job with her,” Grant Williams said.
“She’s really blossomed since she got here.
“I’ve been using her to get the others fit and she’s been beating most of them. She’s had good groundwork at home. To get them out of the sand and onto the track really helps them.
A massive upset as Rubisaki goes down to Perfect Jewel.
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 29, 2020
Pikey in the last, how could we doubt him? 🧙â€â™‚ï¸ pic.twitter.com/KVfbdrwCnH
“Much the same as when we were over here last time. This is the same category there.”
Upbeat at the end of a day which started with Arcadia Queen’s Memsie scratching because of a hoof problem, Williams was momentarily downcast over Regal Power’s run.
“I was enjoying it (life in Victoria) until the last race (Memsie) but I’m all right now,” he said.
“It’s a great place out there at Cloud 9 with Brent (Stanley at Sutton Grange), beautiful big property, so it (COVID-19 situation) doesn’t really affect us out there to be honest.”
Pike said: “She was probably the least expected to win of all the rides but it wasn’t totally unexpected. She has been working really well and settled in nicely. We were eyeing bigger prizes with others.”
Rubisaki, $2.90 favourite, disappointed by finishing 10th.
Moody, Nolen share stakes glory
Peter Moody and Luke Nolen reprised a familiar habit – winning black-type races – before declaring neither was surprised by $61 outsider In Good Health’s stunning Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) triumph.
Moody’s Queensland connection shone bright in a victory which sabotaged the hopes of most punters, but underscored Moody and Nolen’s confidence in a mare whose previous biggest win was a Benchmark 70 at Sandown.
“We thought she’d improve off the midweek (run) but this was a big step,” Moody said.
“Stuey (owner Stuart Ramsay) put a bit of pressure on me during the week, saying that he’s got a stallion ready for her if I can’t get her to keep performing, so she mightn’t be into sexual activities.
In Good Health’s win was gratifying for many reasons! @moodyracingpgm @mmsnippets #magicmillions pic.twitter.com/XhNPdjO4Wf
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 29, 2020
“She might want to stay a racehorse. She’s progressive. She might want to get to a mile-and-a-quarter (2000m) or a mile-and-a-half (2400m).
“He (Ramsay) made me nom her for the cups, and there were plenty of cups aspirants behind her. You never know.
“Just special to win with those colours and ‘Trumby’ (Nolen) in them.
“(It’s) very special. The Ramsay family have been one of my biggest supporters.
“They’ve been there since day one. Special people. And the Frith family from Roma, in western Queensland, out in my country, so gratifying.”
Nolen was elated to reunite successfully with Moody in a continuation of a partnership famed by Black Caviar’s unbeaten run of 25 races.
“He’s (Moody) a lot more relaxed. He’s had a four-year hiatus. He’ll get cranky soon enough, but he’s got the blood pumping again,” Nolen said. “He’s got a new lease on life particularly for training, and I’m the lucky recipient.”
Immortal quest for Guineas
If predictions of a wet spring come to fruition — particularly on Caulfield Guineas day — Mick Price says punters can safely add an extra three lengths to Immortal Love’s formline.
Unbeaten after surging to victory in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m), downing luckless Flying Award ($10) and Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa ($3.40 favourite), Immortal Love ($9.50) is a superior horse in yielding ground.
Likely to contest the Exford Plate in a fortnight before tackling the Guineas Prelude en route to the October 10 Caulfield Guineas, Immortal Love vindicated Craig Newitt’s decision to return to the mainland from Tasmania.
And it left Price wondering just how effective the Snitzel gelding will prove on rain-affected tracks.
What an unbelievable race. Immortal Love with a barnstorming finish pips Flying Award and Tagaloa. 😮😮😮 @MickPriceRacing pic.twitter.com/MoThqozaKO
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 29, 2020
“You can add about three lengths to his form if it does rain so I’d say that he’ll probably go the Exford Plate in two weeks then the Guineas Prelude then the Caulfield Guineas,” Price said. “You’ll probably remember his second start at Flemington (in the Tom Melbourne Trophy) where he was quite dominant there on a wet track.
“So if they are lucky enough to get a wet track for him, as I said, add three lengths to him.”
Joining an honour roll which includes Royal Ascot winners Scenic Blast, Starspangledbanner and Merchant Navy, Immortal Love left Newitt excited about the three-year-old’s prospects.
“He was terrific,” he said. “I found myself a bit further back than I wanted to be. He travelled really well (but) I was a bit unsure about him on really firm ground today but he picked up really good straightening, and just kept surging to the line. It looks a top class field, that. He’ll definitely measure up all the way through spring. He’s got a bright future.”
TAB BETTING REVIEW
CAULFIELD
RACE ONE
Persan rewarded favourite punters in the opening race with a strong victory. Persan was as much as $2.50 on raceday before closing $2.25 favourite. Half of the win hold on the first race was for Persan. Double You Tee ($5) and Exemplar ($6 to $8.50) were the minor placegetters
BETS: Persan $3,500 @ $2.40, Tavirun $2,000 @ $3.50, $1,400 @ $3.50, $1,300 @ $3.50, $1,200 @ $3.40
RACE TWO
There was money all week to suggest Express Pass would be very competitive in the Evergreen Turf Handicap (1100 metres). TAB went up $7 on Wednesday and punters were quick to step into the Nick Ryan-trained runner. Eventually, $5 was available at the end of the day and most of the week. Today, $4.40 was on the table in the morning but a few turns out in betting saw Express Pass get to $4.80 before it jumped $4.60. Express Pass was the second most popular runner in terms of money held behind Windstorm ($2.50-$4) which was a significant drifter on the day. Rulership ($7.50-$8) had plenty of admirers and finished off nicely after behind held up behind the tiring leader for most of the straight.
BETS: Rulership $1,000 @ $7.50, Riddle Me That $1,000 @ $5.50, Windstorm $1,000 @ $4
RACE THREE
Some savvy TAB customers were cheering after So You Swing landed a nice move to take out the allan & Helen Angus Handicap (1400 metres). TAB had the five-year-old rated a $15 chance in the morning but constant each way backing throughout the day saw it jump and bottom out at $8. Finishing powerfully under Jamie Kah, the Ellerton & Zahra-trained runner arrived in time to grab Thousand Wishes ($16-$17-$14) on the line with My Gold Bracelet ($6) close up in third. Affair To Remember ($3.70 fav) went around as easily the best supported runner, holding three times as much as anything else in the event. Of the rest, Paradee ($7) attracted good money also.
BETS: So You Swing $1,000 @ $11, Affair To Remember $3,000 @ $3.70, $2,000 @ $3.70, $1,000 @ $3.70 MULTIPLE TIMES, $2,000 @ $3.60, $1,000 @ $3.60, $3,000 @ $3.50, $2,000 @ $3.40, $1,000 @ $3.40, Paradee $1,000 @ $6.50
RACE FOUR
The money suggested I Am Superman would run a ripper race in the MRC Members’ Tipstar Handicap (1400 metres). I Am Superman ($4.80-$4-$4.20) was one of the most notable movers in the race and after getting a gun run just off the speed, Mark Zahra peeled three-wide at the top of the straight with the Team Snowden runner doing the rest. I Am Superman went on to beat the popular Morrissy ($4.80 on Wednesday, $4.20-$3.80-$4) with Nonconformist ($6) rattling home from near last for third. I Am Superman clearly held the most money and accounted for 32 percent of the total investment. Morrissy was second most popular with Yulong January ($5.50-$4.60-$5) best of the rest.
BETS: I Am Superman $2,000 @ $4.20, $1,500 @ $4.20, $1,000 @ $4.20 MULTIPLE TIMES, $1,000 @ $4, Nonconformist $1,000 @ $6.50, $1,000 @ $6, Morrissy $1,000 @ $4.40, $2,000 @ $4.20, $1,500 @ $4.20, $1,100 @ $4.20, $1,000 @ $4, $2,000 @ $3.80
RACE FIVE
Al Galayel did the job for his backers in the fifth event on the card over 2000 metres. Firming from an opening quote today of $8.50 to start a $6 chance, Al Galayel produced a sharp sprint approaching the home bend under Ben Melham with the pair claiming the leader Schabau midway down the running. Orderofthegarter ($4.40 on Wednesday, $3.30-$3) rattled home for second in front of Schabau ($5.50-$4.80-$5) which kicked on strongly. Orderofthegarter went around with 33 percent of the total investment and was one of the best tried runners at Caulfield on the day.
BETS: Al Galayel $3,000 @ $6, $1,500 e/w @ $6/$2, Polly Grey $2,000 e/w @ $6/$1.95, Young Rascal $1,000 @ $7.50, Schabau $1,500 @ $5, $1,000 @ $5 MULTIPLE TIMES, Orderofthegarter $3,000 @ $3, $2,000 @ $3 MULTIPLE TIMES, $1,500 @ $3, $1,150 @ $3, $1,000 @ $3 MULTIPLE TIMES, $1,000 @ $2.90
RACE SIX
Diamond Effort had strong support all week and did the right thing by her supporters in The Heath 1100 Stakes (1100 metres). The Clint McDonald-trained mare was $9 on Wednesday when markets opened and came into as low as $6.50 on Friday. Today, she hovered around the $7 mark for most of the afternoon. Lyre ($4.60) and Garner ($5) went around with the most money while Humma Humma ($7) was backed earlier in the week when $13 was on offer. Superstorm ($7) also carried a number of decent bets.
BETS: Garner $4,000 @ $5, $1,500 e/w @ $5/$1.95, Superstorm $2,500 @ $7.50, $2,000 @ $7.50, Humma Humma $1,000 @ $7.50
RACE SEVEN
Immortal Love had some decent support throughout the afternoon but was a drifter in betting for the running of the H.D.F McNeil Stakes (1200 metres). Going from $7-$9.50 on the day, it wasn’t as if there wasn’t any backing for the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr galloper - it was just that it was overshadowed by the likes of Tagaloa ($4.60 on Wednesday, $3.80-$3.50), Flying Award ($9.50) and Crosshaven ($23 on Wednesday, $9.50-$8.50). Coming from near last on the turn, Immortal Love arrived in time under Craig Newitt to nail Flying Award and Tagaloa in a great three-way finish. Tagaloa was eight times as popular as the winner and accounted for 47 percent of the market.
BETS: Rathlin $4,000 x $1,000 e/w @ $15/$4, Flying Award $3,000 @ $9.50, $1,000 e/w @ $9.50/$3.10, $1,000 @ $8.50 MULTIPLE TIMES, Tagaloa $2,500 @ $3.70, $1,000 @ $3.60 MULTIPLE TIMES, $3,000 e/w @ $3.50/$1.70, $1,000 @ $3.50 MULTIPLE TIMES, Crosshaven $1,000 @ $7
RACE EIGHT
It was a blowout in the Heatherlie Stakes (1700 metres) with In Good Health saluting at massive odds and upsetting the strong push for Sircconi in the process. In Good Health was a noted drifter in betting and went from $31 out to $71 at the jump. Racing on the speed, Luke Nolen got the best out of the Peter Moody-trained runner to hold off the money horse in Sircconi ($4.80 on Wednesday, $3.50-$2.80-$3) which was the first horse backed when markets opened. Of the others, Plein Ciel ($8-$5) went around with plenty on its back but was costly once more.
BETS: Plein Ciel $3,000 @ $5, Sircconi $1,000 @ $3 MULTIPLE TIMES, $1,000 @ $2.90, Game Keeper $1,000 @ $5
RACE NINE
Behemoth gave favourite backers something to cheer about when he captured his first Group One in the Magic Millions Memsie Stakes (1400 metres). Opening favourite earlier in the week, Behemoth ($3.80-$3.10) went around as the most popular runner in the feature. Craig Williams gave the Darren Jolly rep a great run just behind the leaders and then pounced on straightening, racing clear to beat Mr Quickie and the notable firmer in Glenfiddich ($13 on Wednesday, $9.50-$6). Cascadian ($5.50), which rattled home to finish fourth, was the most popular horse outside the winner while Mr Quickie ($19-$12) had some good each way investments riding on him.
BETS: Glenfiddich $1,000 x $2,000 e/w @ $8/$2.60, $5,500 @ $6, Regal Power $3,000 @ $12, Cascadian $1,000 @ $5.50, Behemoth $1,000 @ $3.30
RACE NINE
Rubisaki was a costly way to end the afternoon for punters at Caulfield. Going around as a dominant $2.90 favourite, Rubisaki ($3.80 on Wednesday) was one of the best backed runners across the country today. Overall, it held 55 percent of the total investment in this race. Perfect Jewel ($10-$13) carried its fair share of support but held less than 10 percent of what the favourite did.
BETS: Rubisaki $10,000 @ $2.90, $5,000 @ $2.90, $2,600 @ $2.90, $2,128 @ $2.90, $2,000 @ $2.90 MULTIPLE TIMES, $1,000 @ $2.90 MULTIPLE TIMES, Missile Mantra $1,250 @ $8.50, Bless Her $1,000 e/w @ $6/$2.20