Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are known for their careful and strategic approach to horse placement, particularly with their emerging talent. Horses in their stable must first prove they belong before being advanced through the ranks.

Hedged, a consistent four-time winner, will be looking to notch his first black-type success in Saturday’s Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington.

The gelding has twice placed at Stakes level, including a runner-up effort in the Group 2 Arrowfield Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last autumn, and a third when resuming in a Group 3 at Kembla Grange last spring.

Price said Hedged should be more competitive second-up, following his return run when finishing fifth at Moonee Valley in a Benchmark 96 on March 22. On that day, the track was suiting leaders, and Hedged came from midfield.

He noted that Hedged is adaptable but tends to thrive when ridden closer to the speed, which will likely be the plan at Mornington.

“He got back in the Arrowfield two years ago and ran second and then he went to Ipswich and lead and won,” Price said.

“So, if he’s ridden properly around Mornington, he could be well-suited.

“I’m happy with the way he’s going. He needs his toe in the ground and that’s when he’s at his best.

“If he gets on a track that is too firm, like a lot of horses, he doesn’t run up to his best.”

Price is no stranger to success in this race, having previously taken out the Hareeba Stakes with La Famelia in 2008 and Bassett in 2017.

Hedged will jump from barrier five in the 11-runner field with Ben Melham to take the ride.