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Saturday's Group 3 D C McKay Stakes shapes as the ultimate guide to The Goodwood in two weeks’ time when a host of big-name sprinters return to racing.
Dual Group 1 winner Behemoth kicks off his fourth consecutive Goodwood campaign while fellow local Beau Rossa returns from his summer in Queensland.
Added to the mix is last year's Goodwood winner Savatoxl, former Singapore sprinter and Everest runner The Inferno, as well as exciting local pair Ironclad and Outlaws Revenge.
Behemoth was narrowly beaten behind Despatch in the 2019 Goodwood, flashed home behind Trekking in 2020 and won the McKay Stakes before running seventh behind Savatoxl in last year's edition.
David Jolly said the soft conditions on Saturday would be in Behemoth's favour.
"He's getting a little bit older now, but with a bit of rain about that should suit him,'' Jolly said.
Behemoth heads betting as a $3.50 favourite with Kayla Crowther in the saddle ahead of Beau Rossa who is a $5 chance and will be ridden by Linda Meech.
Jolly said Crowther, who is riding in the best form of her short but successful career and coming off a double at Murray Bridge on Wednesday, knows Behemoth better than anyone.
"I've got a lot of confidence in Kayla,'' Jolly said.
"She does a lot of work on the horse and knows what's required, she works with you and knows where we are going,'' he said.