Trainer Gavin Bedggood has a history of success with horses that began their careers in Ireland and is hopeful that a firmer track at Caulfield Heath will prove advantageous for his latest acquisition.
Earlswood and Kingswood, both former Irish gallopers, have previously won races for Bedggood. Now, Currawood is his most recent import from Ireland.
All three horses share the same ownership group, Glyn and Jane Davies, and each embarked on their racing careers in Ireland before relocating to Australia.
Earlswood initially joined Maddie Raymond’s stable in Warrnambool and secured a victory on his Australian debut in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup at Caulfield.
Following a dip in form, Earlswood was transferred to Bedggood’s care and clinched the Gold Nugget at Ballarat, around the same period Kingswood arrived under the Cranbourne trainer’s guidance.
Bedggood guided Kingswood from a benchmark 78 win at Sandown to triumph in the Coongy Stakes at Caulfield and subsequently achieved Group 1 success in New Zealand.
Currawood is listed among the nominations for the benchmark 84 handicap over 1500 metres at Caulfield Heath this Saturday, marking the gelding’s second appearance in Australia.
During his initial outing, Currawood struggled with the heavy track conditions, finishing towards the back of the field over 1400 metres at Sandown on July 15.
Bedggood anticipates an improved performance on Saturday, with favourable weather conditions predicted for later in the week.
“He’s a chance to get good ground, and he can definitely turn that performance around,” Bedggood stated.
“He came to Australia with solid form. He’d had eight starts for two wins and six placings, mostly in Stakes races over in Ireland, so he’s running in his right sort of race.”
“He’s in the same ownership as those other horses, but I don’t know if he’s as good as them, but he’s come out here in similar form.”
“He probably doesn’t want rock hard ground, probably similar to what they were, but some give the ground.”
“I would think he’s going to get a perfect surface to bounce back on Saturday.”
Although the distance is only slightly increased, Bedggood believes it will be suitable. Currently, considering Currawood’s rating, he is not looking to target overly ambitious races.
“I just want to try and run him through his grades and get him to win a race before we sort of get too aggressive in our placement with him,” Bedggood commented.
Punters looking to back Currawood at Caulfield Heath on Saturday can find competitive racing odds at Australian betting sites.
