Hedged along path to Sunlight Classic claims
With three wins in six starts plus a minor placing on debut, three-year-old Hedged has done just about everything asked of him by co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
The last start track and distance winner takes on his biggest challenge to-date in the $500,000 Listed Sunlight Classic (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The gelding by Capitalist, rated a $7 chance, has been a successful purchase by the stable who paid $140,000 for him at the 2022 Magic Millions Yearling Sale with his prizemoney having exceeded that mark by at least half.
Key to his chances, Kent Jnr says, is the form around stablemate Gumdrops who after winning Group 3 Don Casboult Classic (1200m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday is now being aimed at Group 1 success in Adelaide.
“The horse is going really well and the draw (barrier 11) is good, too,” Kent Jnr said.
“He’s found a very strong race and it always going to be a race where it is positioned on the calendar.
“These nice three-year-olds can then aim up to the Arrowfield Sprint (Group 2, 1200m at Randwick).
“Last year you had two group one horses in What You Need and Benedetta fight it out.”
What You Need was one of three winners of this race for the stable in past the six editions.
Kent Jnr, however, admits that $3.10 race favourite Estriella will be hard to beat after that filly’s impressive front-running win at Flemington over 1200-metres but takes some confidence from Hedged’s performances around Gumdrops.
“Three weeks between runs suits and Celine Gaudray rides with Jamie Kah away,” he added.
“Celine is a rider that will suit him and we were keen to engage her.”
Twelve months on, What You Need returns to racing for the first time since that Sunlight Classic win as the $3.20 favourite in the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) with top betting apps.
“He’s had his wind issues but he is a group one horse in the making,” Kent Jnr commented.”He can run splits that we haven’t seen before at Cranbourne (stable) since we have been there.
“We’ve done everything right by him with two jump outs but he is a race day horse so we’re hoping that he lights up under race day pressure, but we couldn’t be confident on Saturday given what he has been through.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...