Gavin Bedggood wins Zabeel Classic and Christmas Stakes 2025

A memorable trans-Tasman double saw Gavin Bedggood savour one of the finest days of his training career.

Success came first across the ditch where Kingswood ($10) produced a bold front-running effort under Rory Hutchings to win the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie.

Within an hour, Bedggood doubled up when Hedged ($4.20 fav) powered away in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Sandown with Harry Coffey aboard.

The New Zealand victory owed much to an audacious mid-race move.

“Massive,” Bedggood told Trackside NZ after Kingswood’s win.

“I thought we were cast 100 metres after the start. We weren’t where we were meant to be.

“I thought we were going to look like mugs but fair play to Rory. It was a ballsy ride.”

Hutchings sent Kingswood forward from the 800 metres, opening a commanding lead that proved decisive.

It was Bedggood’s second Group 1 triumph, following Mornington Glory’s victory in the Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley in 2024.

“There were plenty of knockers,” Bedggood said of the NZ plan.

“I’m a realist. He’s not in the top echelon. He’s a bloody good B-grader but on his day in Melbourne, he would be competitive in an Australian Cup or a race like that.”

At Sandown, Coffey rode Hedged with confidence, putting the race away before the final 300 metres.

Nadal ($7.50) chased into second with Aviatress ($4.40) finishing close-up in third.

Rob Norton of Roll The Dice Racing said the gelding could yet appear on Magic Millions Day, though Flemington looms as the likely base.

“He had a tough run and was too good,” Coffey said.

“He covered extra ground, faced the breeze and with all that said rhythm he’s been in and he didn’t give me any grief.”

The victory ended a drought for Hedged, whose previous win came at Ipswich in June 2024.

Odds and race markets for Bedggood’s stable runners are available through the Australian betting sites list.