After a disappointing run at Flemington last start, Gavin Bedggood’s faith in Hedged was rewarded with victory in a dramatic edition of the Group 2 Australia Stakes at Pakenham.
Jockey Harry Coffey revealed it had been his suggestion to give the gelding a break following the Group 3 Standish Handicap on January 10, but Bedggood opted to press on over the same 1200-metre trip.
“When this Hedged turns up, he is a serious horse,” stable representative Darryl Horner said.
“Gavin is convinced that he is a Group 1 horse, but he is a bit of a head-scratcher now.
“He’s a funny sort of horse who has been good all prep and into each run, but Gavin being the perfectionist, this is a big thing for a small stable.”
Two starts earlier, Hedged had returned to the winner’s stall with a strong performance in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Sandown, and he added further black type with a decisive two-length win over Veight ($19), with War Machine ($1.30) finishing third.
“We just wanted to keep it simple and ride the horse where he was happy,” Coffey said.
“We wanted to lead and get things on his terms but old Veight was pretty sharp from the machine so I was going to have to bustle through to hold him out.
“I was in a predicament but when the field broke up, I was able to get to the outside of the heels of Veight, Hedged grabbed the bridle and he was a different horse.
“He is so much happier outside of horses compared to being bustled up on the inside.”
While race fitness proved crucial for Hedged, hot favourite War Machine loomed as a threat before fading to finish third after jumping awkwardly.
Those following the Australia Stakes could assess the latest betting markets for the race ahead of future Group sprint contests.
The post Hedged returns to winning form in G2 Australia Stakes first appeared on Just Horse Racing.