Trainer Gavin Bedggood has the Caulfield Cup in his sights with Kingswood but first there is another Group 1 race at Caulfield.
The Might And Power (2000m) will be Kingswood’s final hit-out for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday week.
While success in Saturday’s 2000m weight-for-age contest would be ideal, especially with the $600,000 first prize on offer, Bedggood said provided the imported galloper is running through the line he will be happy.
Kingswood travelled to New Zealand late last year where he was successful at Group 1 level before two more starts in the ‘Shaky Isles’ and upon returning to Australia has struck form in two runs.
First-up he was successful over 1700m at Caulfield on August 29 before running fourth in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) on September 19.
Ahead of him that day was Birdman, an opponent on Saturday, and Cosmic Crusader who was victorious at Flemington last week.
Kingswood was forced into a role of being one of the leaders last time and Bedggood said in an ideal world he would like to see the entire take a sit.
“I don’t want to see him ridden as close as he was last time. I don’t want to see him have a hard run up on speed,” Bedggood said.
“I’d love to see him settle third or fourth, getting a lovely run, and then banging the line.”
Bedggood sees Saturday’s race as setting Kingswood up nicely for a Caulfield Cup tilt.
The trainer has no qualms with Kingswood running out a strong 2400m.
“He ran in a Zipping Classic at his only try at the trip, and the track went from a (good) four to a (heavy) nine on the day and it was too wet for him,” Bedggood said.
“I don’t think it was the mile-and-a-half, it was more the ground, so it is still a bit of question mark, but deep down, I don’t think it will be an issue.
“He beat St George on Melbourne Cup Day last year and he’s second favourite for the Caulfield Cup, so I don’t think there’s a lot between those two horses, and I take a gauge through that horses runs this campaign.
“There is also the option to take the winkers off him to get him to come back that peg or two if we need to next week.”
