Kingswood seeks redemption in the 2025 Ballarat Cup
Gavin Bedggood secured a valuable Stakes victory at Caulfield on Saturday, but the win didn’t erase the disappointment he felt over a key pre-race decision.
The trainer conceded he realised early in the day that he had misjudged conditions with Kingswood, despite later claiming the feature race with Casino Seventeen.
Kingswood had been favourite for the Eclipse Stakes, but Bedggood scratched him on the assumption the Soft 7 track would remain too testing. Instead, the rain never came, the surface improved to a Soft 6, and the race unfolded perfectly for his style.
Even with Casino Seventeen delivering Bedggood the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes and breaking through for his first win since arriving from Perth, the trainer was still kicking himself.
“I’ve felt sick about it all day,” Bedggood admitted.
“It was a Soft 7 this morning, they run the first race and they upgraded and we’ve had no rain. If the owners were upset at me I wouldn’t blame them either.
“It was going to be wet and it hasn’t eventuated. That was my blue.
“I didn’t want to give him a gut-buster with the idea of backing up next Saturday, so I thought we’d reserve him for that.”
Kingswood now turns his attention to Saturday’s $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m), where he’ll attempt to right the wrong from last weekend.
Casino Seventeen is set to join him after earning his first win for Bedggood. His updated record now reads an amusingly neat 55: 11–11–11, a career that has taken him through stables in SA, Darwin, NSW, WA and now Victoria.
Bettors looking to follow Kingswood or Casino Seventeen into the Ballarat Cup can find the best odds via Australia’s leading betting agencies.
More Racing News
Spring ambitions kick-off at Sandown for Zambardo
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable holds considerable expectations for Zambardo, while also conceding the horse must reach new heights.With nominations for both the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup, Zambardo commences his campaign in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on Saturday.Zambardo is a lightly raced...
El Castello's Tramway Stakes bid begins with a clean slate
John Thompson expresses satisfaction in commencing El Castello's latest racing campaign with a fresh perspective, maintaining a quiet confidence that the Group 1 victor still possesses untapped talent.The path for the connections of the five-year-old has presented considerable challenges. He distinguished himself as a standout performer of his era by...
Amenable looks to end winless streak in Chautauqua Stakes
Amenable is aiming to break a considerable drought without a win as he makes his debut for Grahame Begg at Sandown.The gelding, previously trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, is set to compete in the Group 3 Chautauqua Stakes over 1300 metres on Saturday, having been sidelined for...
Geegees Mistruth readies for Group 1 Moir Stakes challenge
The Mark Walker stable is looking forward to the Moir Stakes at Sandown, with Geegees Mistruth set to make her mark.This 1000-metre Group 1 event is being staged at Sandown this year due to ongoing track renovations and a reconfiguration at Moonee Valley.A competitive field of 13 runners is slated...
Pembrey set to back-up strong Silver Shadow Stakes run in Furious Stakes
Leading Brisbane conditioner Tony Gollan is aiming for Pembrey to replicate her dazzling Silver Shadow Stakes performance when she contests the subsequent event of the four-race Princess Series at Randwick.The three-year-old filly was commanding when leading all the way a fortnight ago. However, with formidable opponents such as the $5.6...
Obucci targets Adelaide success on firmer ground
The Phillip and Tommy Stokes stable has relocated Obucci to Adelaide with the objective of securing another city win.Obucci is slated to participate in the Adelaide Galvanising Industries Handicap (1250m) at Morphettville Parks this coming Saturday, with Noel Callow assigned as the rider.Phillip Stokes explained that Obucci was transferred from...
Trainer Matthew Smith confident Headwall is ready for Concorde Stakes
It's not every day a horse aims for consecutive victories in the same race when starting anew, but Headwall is in that exact scenario as he prepares to kick off his campaign in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick.Having delivered a stunning performance to win the $1 million sprint a year...
Oh Diamond Lil poised for Mona Lisa Stakes return, says King
Despite her quirky nature, stakes winner Oh Diamond Lil is considered by jockey Rachel King to be in the correct frame of mind for a return to top form in the Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong. King partnered the David Pfieffer-trained mare for her most significant triumph in the Group...
Grander ambitions for Walker's Sandown victor
Tolaga Bay is slated for a Black Type assignment after an impressive winning return at Sandown, continuing her undefeated streak.The Mark Walker-trained filly, by Alabama Express, triumphed in the Sportsbet Blackbook Handicap over 1300 metres on Wednesday.Potential targets for the filly include the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at...
Sing Your Song on track for Flight Stakes after Warwick Farm win
Chris Waller has the Group 1 Flight Stakes on his radar for the well-bred filly Sing Your Song, following her stylish victory in a race that has proven to be a significant spring carnival launching pad.The trainer, usually hesitant to start horses from wide draws, explained that his decision to...