The David Jolly-trained South Australian superstar Behemoth made history at Caulfield on Saturday going back-to-back as the first dual winner of the Memsie Stakes 2021 since the mighty mare Sunline (2000-01).

Behemoth was excellent securing back-to-back wins in the 2021 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Completing the same double as he did to kick off his spring bid last year, the champion All Too Hard gelding backed-up from a Group 3 Spring Stakes victory at home in Morphettville to claim Melbourne’s Group 1 $1 million Memsie Stakes (1400m).

It was a master class ride from the back-in-form Brett Prebble who only picked up the prized ride in the eleventh-hour after the horse’s original rider, Jamie Kah, was caught up in a COVID-19 breech and forced into quarantine.

Also reaping the rewards out of that saga was jockey Linda Meech who took over the Ben Melham aboard the ultra-consistent Will Clarken-trained Beau Rossa in the opening Group 1 race of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

It was an all-Adelaide affair in the Memsie Stakes quinella and a repeat of the top two out of the Spring Stakes with Unencumbered four-year-old Beau Rossa again running a narrow second behind the Group 1 winning Behemoth.

In a close third to round out an exciting Memsie Stakes trifecta for 2021 was the beaten favourite, Michael Moroney’s returning Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap – Tattersall’s Tiara winning mare Tofane far from disgraced fresh.

A little revved-up pre-race looking sweaty in the yard, Behemoth jumped well and settled fifth one off the fence as Red Can Man and Sansom led the Memsie Stakes field around.

Tofane got into a nice position third on the outside of Beau Rossa as the front runners set a steady tempo.

As they turned for home Prebble lurked up three-wide on the defending champion, outmuscling his competition with an aggressive ride to put Beau Rossa and Tofane in a pocket.

In the final 100m, Behemoth moved past his rivals and held off a fast-finishing Beau Rossa to go back-to-back thanks to a perfectly executed ride from Prebble.

“It’s a good feeling,” an emotional Prebble told Racing Victoria.

“That was pretty special.

“I reckon he needed a run…he couldn’t go any faster the poor bugger so I reckon he’ll really come on from that.

“He’s a big robust horse, they’re going to have a lot of fun with him.”

The scene is now set for Behemoth to potentially attempt to emulate his Memsie Stakes – Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes double from 2020, but he would be carrying plenty of weight to do so in the latter run back at the same track and distance on September 18.

All-in 2021 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au on Behemoth has firmed from $8 to $6 with Ayrton ($5.50) and the Group 3 Cockram Stakes winning mare from earlier on Memsie Stakes Day, Probabeel ($5.50), the equal favourites.

Click here for the latest futures Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes 2021 markets.

2021 Memsie Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.