Luck does not follow Hedged who is looking for a breakthrough win for the Gavin Bedggood stable in The Meteorite at Cranbourne.
Successful in four of his 20 starts to date, Hedged is yet to breakthrough since joining the Bedggood stable this preparation.
But luck has deserted the sprinter in his three outings.
The former Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained sprinter started his campaign with Bedggood with a close-up second at Cranbourne on October 10, followed up with an interrupted passage down the Flemington straight on the opening day of Melbourne Cup week, before running second to Boston Rocks at Caulfield last Saturday.
Bedggood said with a little luck, Hedged could have two wins beside his name, although the trainer did concede the sprinter was beaten by a better horse at Caulfield last week.
The trainer has had The Meteorite in mind for Hedged since the start of the campaign and will enter Saturday’s contest in peak condition.
“It was always an option, as we have always known it was there,” Bedggood said.
“When he drew well last week and he came up favourite, we had to take our chance. We didn’t get our chance, but in saying that I still think we run second, just a little closer, and he certainly hasn’t raced poorly for us.
“He had no luck first-up, he was stiff second-up at Flemington, and probably should have run second, and I think last week he was beaten by the better horse.”
When with the Price and Kent Jnr yard, Hedged also raced in Sydney and Brisbane and on the corresponding day 12 months ago the sprinter finished third in The Warra at Kembla Grange.
Having raced last Saturday, Bedggood said Hedged had been given a quiet week leading up to Saturday’s contest.
“We haven’t had to do anything with him this week other than tick him over,” Bedggood said.
“He’s drawn well and he looks as though he’ll get a good run from that gate.
“Jigsaw and Zou Sensation are drawn outside him, and they usually look to push forward, and he should be third or fourth, and hopefully we can stay off the fence.”
Jamie Mott rides Hedged for the first time on Saturday.
