Gavin Bedggood’s remarkable spring campaign is set to continue on the international stage with Kingswood heading to Hong Kong after his Zipping Classic victory.
Kingswood has carved out a unique place in staying race history by achieving a double that has not been accomplished for nearly sixty years. His win in the Zipping Classic mirrors the achievement of Bunratty Castle in 1968, who claimed both the Caulfield Cup and Sandown Cup when these races were run under handicap conditions.
The contemporary Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) is now a weight-for-age contest, and Kingswood is forging an unconventional path, with his subsequent target being the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase, also over 2400m, at Sha Tin on December 13.
“I watched him gallop here on Tuesday morning and thought he was close to a good thing off his work,” Bedggood commented. “And then watching the rain unfold this morning, it was like drawing barrier 20 in the Caulfield Cup all over again. I just thought his hopes were dashed.
“The track received an upgrade on our way here today, and I had a good walk, and I thought it was probably getting towards a Soft 6.”
In a thrilling conclusion, Kingswood, sent off at $3.80, narrowly held off Juja Kibo ($4.60), the third placegetter in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), by a short-half-head. Joseph O’Brien’s contender, Small Fry ($3.50 favourite), finished a half-neck adrift in third.
The flight for Hong Kong is scheduled for November 30, providing Bedggood and the connections with a two-week lead-in to the race, a prestigious event previously won by renowned gallopers such as Red Cadeaux, Highland Reel, and Dunaden.
“I think it gives him 13 days to sort of settle in and tighten the screws,” Bedggood elaborated.
“He’ll have one good gallop over there, I guess, and have him in tip top order hopefully.”
The trip to Hong Kong will be a new experience for the winning jockey, John Allen.
“I have never been so I am looking forward to that,” Allen conveyed.
“I’m sure Gavin and his team won’t send him there if he hasn’t pulled up 100 per-cent. Hopefully if he is on his A-game he can put on a good show there.”
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