Top South Australian galloper Behemoth is on track for a fourth tilt at the Group 1 Goodwood at Morphettville in May.
The David Jolly-trained giant has ramped up his preparations over the past two weeks after his summer campaign was aborted after pulling up sore following the Group 1 C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield in February.
Behemoth was narrowly beaten in the 2019 Goodwood by Despatch, finished fourth behind Trekking in 2020 before he jumped a $4.60 chance last year when seventh behind Savatoxl.
Jolly said the dual Group 1 winner could use the Group 3 D C McKay Stakes could be his first-up assignment.
“The plan is to give him another solid hit-out next week and make a decision from there,’’ Jolly said.
“He’d end up with 62kg and it would be a tough race to win first-up but that (The D C McKay) might be where he will kick off before the Goodwood,’’ he said.
The Group 1 Goodwood is shaping as another brilliant edition of South Australian racing’s showcase sprint.
Champion trainer Chris Waller has already nominated three horses including multiple Group 1 winner and recently crowned 2021 SAROA Horse of the Year September Run along with Ranch Hand and Shaquero.
The Leon and Troy Corstens pair of Swats That and The Astrologist have also been nominated along with last year’s runner-up Instant Celebrity.
Impressive last-start Discovery winner In The Boat is Goodwood bound for Lindsay Smith while Halvorsen and The Inferno have identified the feature as a target race.
