Hedged dodges the paddock for the 2026 Australia Stakes

Gavin Bedggood believes patience is paying off as Hedged lines up in Friday night’s Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham.

The gelding comes off a disappointing run in the Group 3 Standish Handicap, where he finished second-last after starting favourite, just two weeks after scoring impressively in the Christmas Stakes.

Bedggood admitted his first instinct was to send the horse to the paddock.

“I said straightaway post-race at Flemington that he would go to the paddock and you shouldn’t make decisions on a race day,” Bedggood said.

“We went home and couldn’t fault the horse. My vet couldn’t find anything untoward so hence he’s lining up in this race.”

The trainer suggested conditions played a major role in the defeat.

“The leaders in most races didn’t fare well and the horses in that race who went forward got swallowed up very quickly and horses out wide just dropped out.”

Hedged is currently second favourite at $6 behind War Machine, who heads betting at $1.55 with major betting sites.

“We’ll just ride him comfortably and leave it up to Harry Coffey,” Bedggood added.

The stable also featured prominently at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, purchasing a $330,000 colt by Written Tycoon out of Acing Shamrock.

Bedggood will also saddle Hughes in the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.

“He’s a victim of his own success,” Bedggood said.

“He sort of found his level but since has been racing well without winning.

“This will set him up well for Tasmania.”

Punters following Friday and Saturday’s racing can find odds and markets via trusted Australian betting sites.

The post Bedggood Hedging across the weekend first appeared on Just Horse Racing.