All-Star Mile: Craig Williams confident Behemoth will measure up in world’s richest mile

A crack at the $5 million All-Star Mile will be the latest benefit of a measly outlay from the owners of dual Group 1 winner Behemoth.

Grand Syndicates paid $6000 for Behemoth as a yearling, meaning his big band of owners would have paid a few hundred dollars to book a ticket on an amazing racing ride.

Behemoth has returned more than 350 times their amount in his 20 starts, which have produced eight wins.

Behemoth has raced in Sydney’s two richest races in the last two seasons. He finished fourth in the $7.5 million Golden Eagle in 2019 and 10th in The Everest, which carried $15 million in stakes, last year.

Craig Williams will reunite with Behemoth in the All-Star Mile. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Supplied

Behemoth banked more than $800,000 for those two unplaced runs, more than the total he earned for his Group 1 wins in last year’s Memsie and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

The son of All Too Hard will chase a $2.25 million winner’s cheque in the All-Star Mile at The Valley.

Behemoth’s jockey Craig Williams says the five-year-old’s story showed the benefit of the Australian system of horse ownership.

“Credit to Grand Syndicates for providing the opportunity for people without the biggest budget to have a chance to run a horse in one of the great concept races on the calendar,” Williams said.

“Australia was one of the first countries to bring along syndications and we’ve seen how they have developed around the world. I think it’s great to show people of diverse background can come into ownership of racehorses on the big stage.”

Williams has been a significant part of Behemoth’s dream career. He rode the five-year-old to his first Melbourne win in December 2018 and his two Group 1 triumphs.

Williams missed Behemoth’s last-start fourth in the Futurity Stakes through suspension but is thrilled to be back aboard the powerful galloper in the All-Star Mile.

Behemoth has never raced over 1600m but Williams is confident trainer David Jolly has put in enough work to get his charge fit enough to see out the trip.

Behemoth will be having his first race over 1600m in the All-Star Mile. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

“I don’t know that he has to be strong at the end of it but I’m very confident he can run the mile out,” Williams said. “I don’t think the mile will be his problem, especially if you have a look at his Golden Eagle run over 1500m.”

Distances are one thing but overcoming an outstanding field that includes eight fellow Group 1 winners. Williams knows only Behemoth can answer the class question.

“Only he is going to answer the question on Saturday because there’s going to be no hiding spots,” Williams said. “It just shows the concept, the money and the conditions work. Just look at the quality of runners in the race.

“It’s a privilege for me to be a part of it and to be riding a horse that has a really great chance of winning a really tough race.”

Originally published asWillo confident Behemoth won’t come up short in Mile

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