Rushed race-day decisions are often avoided by trainers, and Gavin Bedggood believes patience has paid off with Hedged.
The gelding will line up in Friday night’s Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham.
Hedged was a stylish winner of the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Sandown on Boxing Day.
He then disappointed as a beaten $2.90 favourite when finishing second-last in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m).
“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.”
Bedggood put the run down to a difficult day in the Flemington straight.
Hedged is the $6 second favourite behind War Machine, who is $1.55 with online bookies.
“We’ll just ride him comfortably and leave it up to Harry Coffey,” Bedggood said.
On Saturday, Hughes will contest the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) as a lead-in to Tasmanian targets.
“He’s a victim of his own success,” Bedggood said.
“This will set him up well for Tasmania.”