David Jolly aims two 3yos at Valley races

South Australian trainer David Jolly believes the timing is right to test lightly raced stablemates Behemoth and No Joy in Melbourne and expects to get a gauge on future plans for the pair after they run at Moonee Valley.

Last-start Morphettville maiden winner Behemoth is set to contest Saturday’s 1200m-benchmark 70 handicap for three-year-olds while last-start Strathalbyn winner No Joy is entered for the benchmark 70 for three-year-old fillies over the same distance.

“I think they are probably progressive Adelaide horses,” Jolly said.

“They are horses who weren’t probably forward enough to be spring horses when their preparations finished last time so we decided to poke around with them at home and once the spring was over look to sneak them across to try them in that grade.”

Jolly believes Saturday’s races could also give him a better guide on potential Adelaide carnival plans for the pair next autumn.

“Even after this we probably haven’t bottomed them out this prep,” he said.

“They haven’t had much racing but a trip away generally improves those young horses.

“We can have a bit of a look at them against better grade and we’ve still got time to give them a rest to get them ready for Adelaide if we so desire.”

Behemoth won a maiden at Morphettville by 2-3/4-lengths first-up on November 6 at his third start.

He has since won a barrier trial in Adelaide.

“I put him in an open trial the other day rather than against the three-year-olds because he seems the sort of horse who runs better against better opposition,” Jolly said.

“They weren’t A-grade open horses but he trialled well and handled them pretty well.

“He’s quite a talented horse.

“It’s all a big learning curve. He’s a big, raw horse. He’s got to get around the Valley, so there’s a few little variables. But I’m looking forward to it.”

He said as types, No Joy and Behemoth were poles apart.

“No Joy is quite talented and I don’t think we’ve got to the bottom of her yet,” Jolly said.

“I’m maybe a bit more confident of her handling the Valley because she’s a smaller, nippier sort of horse.

“She’s got good acceleration. She’s a Super VOBIS filly too, so there’s a few more reasons for her to come across.”