Flemington showdown for Bedggood's Mornington Glory and Johnny Rocker

Gavin Bedggood, the trainer, has ensured Group 1 champion Mornington Glory receives comprehensive conditioning before his latest racing resumption.

The horse will make his first start in close to seven months in the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday, sharing the card with newcomer to the stable Johnny Rocker.

After diagnosing 'bone bruising', Bedggood took a cautious approach with Mornington Glory post his disappointing three-race early spring effort last year, ending in defeat in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick.

"Post Sydney, we sent him off for an MRI and scintigraphy, and he came back with pod lesions, or severe bone bruising," Bedggood said.

"He had a three-month paddock break, a long rehab and returned with a month on the water walker, a month on the sandhills (at Cranbourne) and then a month of pacework.

"He's got a really good base of fitness on him. He won his last trial, but I would say I have seen him trial better than what he did.

"He's a horse that has not performed at his best first-up, but I would be disappointed if he didn't run well."

In early 2024 spring, Mornington Glory hit peak form, highlighted by his Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) triumph at Moonee Valley.

He had two further runs before spelling, trialled in autumn but pulled up after joint damage.

Bedggood owned up to possible 'trainer error' by racing Mornington Glory last spring after only one trial, leading to the end of his short campaign.

Plans may include an Adelaide venture for Mornington Glory following this Saturday and one subsequent start.

"He's got to put his hand up and show me something in his first two runs, otherwise we might pull the pin," Bedggood said.

"I don't want to be that trainer that had a good horse that kept on banging it around for the sake of running it.

"He owes us nothing and we owe him everything."

For Bedggood, Johnny Rocker's initial run comes after one Sydney appearance with Bjorn Baker, previously under Nick Ryan at Flemington.

With Ryan, Johnny Rocker came agonisingly close to Imperatriz in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley during March 2024.

"We've probably had him for six weeks and he and Mornington Glory have pretty much been workmates," Bedggood said.

"I thought he galloped fantastic at Caulfield the other week but trialled below par at Cranbourne.

"His fitness is very good. He had the one run in Sydney before coming to me and like Mornington Glory, you want to see him be competitive and show he's still got that zest for racing.

"He lives out in a yard. He's gone from being boxed at Flemington and Warwick Farm, so we're trying to get him right mentally."

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