Gavin Bedggood on weather watch
Trainer Gavin Bedggood will wait as long as possible before making a decision on where he starts Just Folk on Saturday.
Bedggood has Just Folk entered in the $1 million The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday along with the $500,000 Listed Cranbourne Cup over the same trip.
Kembla Grange had been the preferred option, but that was until Bedggood checked on the weather forecast for the two venues.
“Last week, Kembla Grange were forecast for 20-40 mils of rain on each day Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but that’s changed to maybe 5-10 mils on Friday and 1-5 mils on Saturday,” Bedggood told RSN.
“I’ve been checking that multiple times a day and it keeps dropping off.
“At Cranbourne, this morning, it was saying 5-10 mils on Friday and maybe 10-20 mils on Saturday, so it’s a bit of a guessing game at the moment.”
With acceptances for both races due on Wednesday morning, Bedggood indicated that he would leave his decision until as late as possible and may even accept in both The Gong and Cranbourne Cup.
Just Folk ran in The Gong last year, finishing 14th on a good track for his previous trainer Josh Julius.
Bedggood has only had Just Folk for two starts and said he would have no problems travelling the gelding if The Gong was chosen as the race to tackle.
First-up for his new stable, Just Folk finished second to Tamarlane at Flemington before running fourth to Prowess in the Group 2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley on October 28.
“He’s had a few trips to Sydney, he’s been to Brisbane, and he’s been to Adelaide, so the travel won’t bother him at all,” Bedggood said.
“I thought his first-up run was great and he ran as good as he could second-up when he pulled a shoe on the way to the start, and it didn’t get picked up and he raced missing his near front shoe.”
Bedggood also has Keats entered in the Cranbourne Cup along with the $200,000 Kilmore Cup (1600m) on Sunday.
“I probably have more of a leaning to go to the Kilmore Cup as I think he will be really suited around that track with the downhill run into the straight,” Bedggood said.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...