The inaugural running of the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes (1200m) has attracted a strong field of 12 sprinters vying for the $150,000 on offer in the Morphettville feature on Saturday.
It marks the return of the Richard & Chantelle Jolly-trained See You In Heaven, who has not been seen since finishing second in the Group 3 Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on February 18.
With a trial victory under her belt, the four-year-old mare will be looking to kick off a fruitful spring campaign after achieving plenty as a three-year-old filly last year.
The now four-year-old mare managed to claim the Group 2 Sandown Guineas to round out last year, and following consecutive runner-up efforts in the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) and The Vanity, she looks set for a big campaign.
Jake Toeroek will take the ride aboard See You In Heaven in Saturday’s Behemoth Stakes, with the pair drawing the widest barrier (12).
Following her trial win, co-trainer Chantelle Jolly revealed that the end goal for See You In Heaven would be the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“We were really happy with her and the way she got back in the trial and hit the line strong shows us that she’s on track,” Jolly said.
“She had a good blow so she’s going to improve fitness-wise.
“She goes to the Behemoth Stakes and then probably the Leon Macdonald (Stakes) over 1400m.
“We’ll give her the two runs here because she is a gross mare and we think it’ll be beneficial to get a couple of runs into her before we take her to Melbourne.
“She normally goes better three and four runs into her preparation, and there are plenty of races for her in Melbourne, with the goal being the Empire Rose over a mile at Flemington.”
See You In Heaven will be joined by Ironclad, who struggled in his two runs during a brief autumn campaign.
Ironclad’s best would prove hard to beat if the race is run to suit, considering he was the best of the beaten brigade in the 2022 Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) when beaten a length by WA star Amelia’s Jewel.
Savatoxl returns to the Morphettville 1200m, a track and trip where he claimed Group 1 glory in The Goodwood back in 2021, and will be partnered by Caitlin Jones.
Proven Group-quality sprinter Calypso Reign is another who is set to resume from a spell, with Kayla Crowther on board from barrier two.
Last-start winners Picargo and Karacasu lead the charge for runners with race fitness on their side.
The 2023 Behemoth Stakes is set to jump at 4:17pm ACST on Saturday afternoon.
Group 3 Behemoth Stakes 2023 final field
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