Gavin Bedggood’s decision to persist with Hedged was vindicated when the gelding surged back to winning form in the Group 2 Australia Stakes at Pakenham.
Following an underwhelming effort at Flemington, jockey Harry Coffey had suggested a spell after the Group 3 Standish Handicap, but Bedggood elected to give the horse another chance.
“When this Hedged turns up, he is a serious horse,” stable representative Darryl Horner said.
“Gavin is convinced that he is a Group 1 horse, but he is a bit of a head-scratcher now.
“He’s a funny sort of horse who has been good all prep and into each run, but Gavin being the perfectionist, this is a big thing for a small stable.”
Hedged had shown his ability two runs earlier when winning the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Sandown and backed it up with another strong performance here.
“We just wanted to keep it simple and ride the horse where he was happy,” Coffey said.
“We wanted to lead and get things on his terms but old Veight was pretty sharp from the machine so I was going to have to bustle through to hold him out.
“I was in a predicament but when the field broke up, I was able to get to the outside of the heels of Veight, Hedged grabbed the bridle and he was a different horse.
“He is so much happier outside of horses compared to being bustled up on the inside.”
War Machine loomed as the main danger but faded late, while outsider Cannonball suffered a fatal injury during the running.
Those tracking form out of the Australia Stakes can review the latest online bookmakers ahead of upcoming features.
The post Hedged returns to winning form in G2 Australia Stakes first appeared on Just Horse Racing.