Kingswood has made significant strides since joining Gavin Bedggood’s stable.
The horse commenced his career in Ireland before a spell with Maddie Raymond at Warrnambool. He then joined the Bedggood yard in mid-2024, achieving wins in his first two starts at Caulfield, including the Coongy Cup (2000m).
By the end of 2026, Bedggood made the decision to send Kingswood to New Zealand, where he secured a Group 1 victory at Ellerslie.
Following a first-up win at Caulfield over stablemate Just Folk in the Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) last month, Kingswood is preparing for his first Group 1 race on Australian soil in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Despite also being nominated for the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) on the program, Bedggood stated that the Underwood Stakes was always the primary goal. “I threw in a nom for the Naturalism in case something happened,” Bedggood said. “He’s as good as I could have him and he’s improved from his first-up run and I suppose Saturday will be a good test to see where he sits against that calibre of horse.”
Kingswood has drawn the widest gate in an eight-horse field, reduced by one following the withdrawal of Aeliana, who is staying in Sydney for the 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
Bedggood commented that Kingswood was fit enough for the Heatherlie Stakes and believes he has improved since that run. “He was pretty screwed down first-up but with improvement to come,” Bedggood added. “He definitely hasn’t regressed. His coat has improved and his last two Monday mornings have been great, so I wouldn’t swap my horse for any other in the race.”
Saturday’s race will determine his next target, with the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 3 or the Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield a week later being the likely options.
Kingswood has 55kg in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 17 and is currently 20th in the ballot order following the release of weights on Thursday. The Cox Plate (2000m) at Flemington on October 24 has not been ruled out.
“Everything is on the table at the moment, but his next two runs will tell us where we sit,” Bedggood concluded. “My gut feeling tells me he’s not sharp enough at 10 furlongs for a Cox Plate.”
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