Cranbourne trainer Gavin Bedggood is confident about handling various track conditions with his two runners slated for the 2026 Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield.
Kingswood, resuming from a spell, and the race-fit Just Folk are both scheduled to compete in the 1700-metre Listed handicap this Saturday.
Bedggood requires firming ground for Kingswood, while Just Folk would be better suited by a softer track.
The Caulfield track was assessed as heavy on Thursday.
With many of the participants in Saturday’s race either first-up or early in their preparation, Bedggood is banking on Just Folk’s race fitness proving advantageous.
“I remember Dean Lester telling me, eight or nine years ago, the Heatherlie was a race that is won by the horse that’s come through winter, fit, and puts itself up on speed,” Bedggood remarked.
“I would think that is his sort of race to be winning.”
“It’s the Caulfield Cup kick-off point for a lot of horses, and hopefully, he can be Johnny on the spot.”
Just Folk will be participating in his sixth run of the season, most recently securing third place in a benchmark 100 race over 1600 metres at Caulfield on August 15.
He carries 3kg less than his previous start and will be partnered by Blake Shinn.
If all goes according to plan, Bedggood is contemplating a trip to New Zealand with Just Folk, a strategy he employed last year with Kingswood, who achieved a win and Group 1 placings in three starts earlier in the year.
“We threw in a nomination over there,” Bedggood commented regarding Just Folk.
“If it was really wet, testing ground, it would be something I would consider.”
Kingswood has not raced since finishing fifth in New Zealand in March, but Bedggood mentioned that the gelding has been primed and ready for action for a couple of weeks.
“He’s flying and going as well as I’ve had him go,” Bedggood stated.
“His first-up run will determine where we go after that.”
“He could go to the Naturalism or the Underwood. His first-up run will determine whether we can go down that weight-for-age path, or the handicap route, and ideally, you would love to see him in the Caulfield Cup fourth-up if he’s going well enough.”
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