Hedged chasing redemption in 2025 Village Stakes at Caulfield

The disappointment of Hedged’s blocked run in the Group 2 Rising Fast Stakes still hangs over trainer Gavin Bedggood almost 14 days later, with the Cranbourne conditioner adamant the horse should have finished much closer.

The gelding was trapped with nowhere to go until very late, eventually finishing sixth — beaten only two lengths — after Caballus slipped clear in the 1200m contest.

Now, Hedged gets the chance to rebound as he drops to 1100m for the $175,000 Village Stakes at Caulfield. Beau Mertens will take over from Jamie Melham, with barrier two giving Bedggood renewed confidence.

“I just hope he doesn’t end up in an awkward spot with nowhere to go like he did last time out,” Bedggood said.

“He lost all his momentum and by the time he got out the bird had flown, but he was really good through the line.

“If he wasn’t going to win there, he definitely runs second with even luck, so he should be hard to beat this weekend.”

The Rising Fast run came just two starts into his new campaign for Bedggood following four wins for previous trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.

His first run for the new stable was a narrow defeat to Jigsaw, who later claimed a Group 2 victory at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day.

“He’s come on from those runs and back around a corner he should get a good run from the gate,” Bedggood said.

Options are wide open for the campaign ahead.

“You’ve got seven days into The Meteorite or you’ve got a fortnight into another Stakes race here and he’s also a Magic Millions horse, so that might be an option later on,” Bedggood said.

Cranbourne’s $1 million The Meteorite is next Saturday, with Caulfield’s Listed Doveton Stakes to follow.

For punters, compare Village Stakes markets via the JHR bookmakers section.