Hedged to go again in the 2026 Standish Handicap
With the early disappointment now behind them, Gavin Bedggood is taking a measured approach with Hedged as the sprinter builds momentum in his campaign.
Hedged registered his first win for the Cranbourne trainer – and his first success in 18 months – when he capitalised on clear running to score decisively in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Sandown on Boxing Day.
The win came at the gelding’s fifth run for the stable following a string of luckless efforts, and he is set to press on toward Saturday’s Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.
While Bedggood accepts the Capitalist gelding will require a spell later in the preparation, he is confident the current routine allows Hedged to continue racing while he remains in good order.
“We sent him down the beach post-Cranbourne for a week and he thrived off that,” Bedggood said.
“We’ve just tried to replicate that. Monday morning (after Sandown) he got on the float and he came home on Friday.
“He’s very fit now, so we don’t have to do much with him. It’s just one little pipe-opener in between runs just to clean his wind up and that seems to be working well.
“As soon as we’re not happy with him he’ll go for a break – you can’t keep going forever – but while he looks well and he’s doing well in the stable we’ll keep him going.”
The $200,000 Standish Handicap will be Hedged’s first Flemington assignment since last spring’s Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m), where he was badly held up before rattling home behind Caballus.
His previous experience down the straight includes a victory in a three-year-old handicap and a fifth placing in the Sunlight Classic, won by Estriella, both over 1100 metres.
“I wouldn’t think the straight holds any concerns,” Bedggood said.
“I thought Harry (Coffey) executed the ride really well last start and understood the horse well and found a happy medium with him.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how they pair up again and hopefully we can continue the association.”
Hedged is one of 16 nominations for the Standish Handicap, with Maharba and Aviatress shaping as notable opposition.
The post Hedged to go again in Standish Handicap first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
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