Trainer Gavin Bedggood is set to achieve a personal best at Caulfield, presenting his first runner in a ‘major’ race.

While he has previous experience with Group 1 runners, and winners, Kingswood’s entry into the Caulfield Cup (2400m) this Saturday signifies his debut in such a significant event.

The hallmark ‘majors’ are recognised as the Caulfield Cup, the Melbourne Cup, the Cox Plate, and the Golden Slipper, with The Everest now also frequently considered among them.

It’s fitting that the Caulfield Cup should mark Bedggood’s first ‘major’ race, as he used to ride trackwork at the Caulfield track during his youth.

“I rode work there as a kid when I was 16 years old,” Bedggood recalled.

“And I grew up at Cranbourne and remember horses like Sky Heights walking around of a morning, and that would be one of my first memories of the Caulfield Cup. It’s exciting to be a part of it.”

Kingswood is currently in good racing form heading into Saturday’s contest.

His preparation included a win first-up in the Heatherlie Stakes (1700m), followed by two fourth-place finishes at weight-for-age – the Underwood Stakes and last Saturday’s Might And Power.

Bedggood confirmed that the horse’s campaign has been smooth and without incident.

“It’s been a faultless campaign,” Bedggood stated.

“He hasn’t had a bad blood, he hasn’t had an unsound day. We’ve run in all the races we’ve wanted to along the way and this has been the Grand Final that we’ve picked. He knew he’d had a run Sunday morning after the Might And Power, but we were very happy on Tuesday. What will be, will be.”

Kingswood is scheduled to jump from the second-widest barrier on Saturday, assuming no emergencies are declared.

Bedggood mentioned that the draw isn’t ideal but believes it will allow the entire to be ridden with cover, a change from his more forward tactics in his recent starts.

“He’s gone forward by default at his last two starts,” Bedggood explained.

“He’s drawn wide in small fields with a lack of tempo on paper and he’s been left there, whereas first-up he was third or fourth pair back. He’s on trial at a mile-and-a-half (2400m), so we’ll just want to let the speed go, find a good spot, midfield or second half, get a good resting run and hopefully he’ll be there at the finish.”

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