THE Group 3 Spring Stakes at Morphettville had it all, pre-race drama, an epic two horse battle between two stars and then more drama post-race in the steward’s room.
The feature lost a draw card early in the day when 2019 winner Dalasan got away from his handler and slipped over causing his scratching.
But when the barriers opened the race lived up to expectations with Behemoth and Beau Rossa fighting out a thrilling finish.
Beau Rossa led and was rated perfectly in front by Todd Pannell, but when the whips were cracking inside the final 100m, a shift away from the inside was deemed enough by stewards to uphold a protest and give Behemoth a second successive Group 3 Spring Stakes victory.
“It looked like a two-horse race on paper when Dalasan came out,’’ Behemoth’s trainer David Jolly said.
“It was a bit different to what we expected (race pattern). In Beau Rossa’s defence, he’s not a natural leader.
“At the end of the day it was great race, it’s not how you’d ideally like to win a race,’’ he said.
Jolly, who helped select Beau Rossa as a yearling for his connections, said the race would shape what looms a promising spring for both horses who will now head to Melbourne.
“He (Beau Rossa) made him earn it,’’ Jolly said.
“I think we can be proud of both horses going forward they’ve got an exciting spring ahead of them,’’ he said.
The result meant Todd Pannell had to wait until the last race on the card to bring up his 1000th career win when Naleigh arrived in time to score, the win also completing a big day for trainer Will Clarken with Second Slip successful at Caulfield with Jamie Kah in the saddle.
“He’s grown up a lot more now,’’ Kah said of Second Slip.
“He’s matured into a furnished horse.
“He’s a horse with a really big action, so I think out over a bit further and a bigger track will suit him.
“I think he will improve and can go on and win a nice race,’’ she said.
Jason Holder took Morphettville riding honours with a treble while two new SA training partnerships both enjoyed metropolitan successes.
John Hickmott and Carrina Riggs were successful with Classy Joe while Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle landed city success with progressive mare Turfitt.