It was a day Gavin Bedggood will long remember, with a rare trans-Tasman double delivering one of the standout moments of his training career.

The Cranbourne-based trainer struck first in New Zealand, where Kingswood ($10) produced a gutsy performance to claim the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie.

A daring ride from Rory Hutchings proved decisive, as the jockey took control from the 800 metres and pinched a winning break on the local hopes.

“Massive,” Bedggood told Trackside NZ after the race.

“I thought we were cast 100 metres after the start. We weren’t where we were meant to be.

“I thought we were going to look like mugs but fair play to Rory. It was a ballsy ride.”

Just an hour later, Bedggood doubled down when Hedged ($4.20 fav) saluted in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Sandown.

Harry Coffey timed the run perfectly, putting the race to bed at the 300-metre mark.

“There were plenty of knockers,” Bedggood said of the New Zealand venture.

“I’m a realist. He’s not in the top echelon. He’s a bloody good B-grader but on his day in Melbourne, he would be competitive in an Australian Cup or a race like that.”

Hedged’s win ended a drought stretching back to June 2024 and capped a near-perfect festive double for the stable.