Trainer Gavin Bedggood chasing Fortune in The Meteorite
Gavin Bedggood hopes the decision to take Oscar’s Fortune to Cranbourne for a midweek gallop will pay off handsomely on Saturday.
Oscar’s Fortune runs in the $1 million The Meteorite (1200m), a new ‘slot race’ that Southside Racing, a merged entity of the Cranbourne and Pakenham Clubs, runs for the first time.
The former Perth sprinter, trained by Dion Luciani, has only had the one start for Bedggood with the gelding’s new trainer still learning about the gelding.
While Bedggood trains at Cranbourne, he took the opportunity to take the sprinter for a short trip to the racetrack and away from the Training Centre on Tuesday, for a ‘look’ at where he will be racing on Saturday.
“I’m glad we took him to the Turf Club for a gallop on Tuesday,” Bedggood said.
“We train at Cranbourne, but it isn’t where we work our horses in the morning, so he had a pretty good look around, especially the last 100 metres when he got to the grandstand and then again, he had a look at the winning post, so I think that gallop will hold him in good stead for Saturday.”
Oscar’s Fortune ran second in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in Perth 12 months ago and was placed in The Quokka (1200m), also at Ascot, earlier in the year, but had campaigned in Melbourne during the spring.
After beating only one home behind Baraqiel in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley last month, the sprinter was transferred to Bedggood’s care.
Oscar’s Fortune finished sixth in the Listed Century Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on November 7 and Bedggood said there was excuses that day.
“I thought his run up the straight at Flemington was more than a pass mark,” Bedggood said.
“The horses drawn down low were probably disadvantaged and just as he was starting to look for a run, he got baulked.
“Damian (Lane) was of the opinion he runs second, third, fourth if he’d had clean air.
“Looking ahead to the weekend, if he runs up to his Perth form, the Quokka run, the Winterbottom run, you’d have to think he’s going in with a chance on Saturday.”
Bedggood said the inaugural running of The Meteorite was a great concept by Southside Racing.
“It’s good to have a runner that’s good enough to be there, so long may it continue,” Bedggood said.
More Racing News
Mr Brightside prepares for CF Orr Stakes return
Mr Brightside will return to the scene of his maiden victory when he trials at Geelong. The Lindsay Park-trained galloper won his maiden at Geelong in July 2021, his third race start and the beginning of a six-race winning streak that eventually led to Mr Brightside becoming one of Australia’s best...
Manaal catches the eye at the Randwick trials
Manaal served notice that she is poised to return to the Group 1 scene as a major player this Autumn Carnival with an eye-catching trial at Randwick on Tuesday. Despite a light ride from Jason Collett, last year’s ATC Sires’ winner powered home from last midway down the straight to run...
No Limitation ready to go in the Chairman’s Stakes
Trainer Clayton Douglas has expressed his desire for No Limitation to have a better race day experience than her debut before giving the filly a break. Douglas has entered No Limitation in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) at Sandown on Saturday. The two-year-old daughter of Exceedance out of Piero Belle finished...
Tajanis too good in the Australia Day Cup
Tajanis delivered trainer Chris Waller his third victory in the Australia Day Cup, continuing the stable’s success with imported gallopers. The Listed event at Warwick Farm on Monday served as the day’s highlight, with Waller’s team securing both first and third place finishes. Waller previously claimed the Australia Day Cup with Irish-bred...
No Canonbury Stakes for boom horse Wodeton
Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton won’t be seen in the Canonbury Stakes with trainer Chris Waller happy to adopt a more patient approach to his autumn carnival preparation. The Coolmore-owned colt scored a sensational debut win at Rosehill earlier this month to earn top billing for the two-year-old showstopper and next Saturday’s Group 3...
Benedetta nearing return
Group 1 winning mare Benedetta is set to trial at Balnarring in preparation for her racetrack return. Trainer Jason Warren has earmarked the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 15 for the mare’s first start since June. Benedetta has been off the scene since finishing midfield in the Group 1 Stradbroke...
Inglis Millennium 2025 the likely target for Cavalry Girl
Promising filly Cavalry Girl, trained by Tom Dabernig, is set to contest the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick on February 8 following her impressive win at Flemington. The daughter of Bivouac debuted at Geelong earlier this month, finishing second to the Ciaron Maher-trained Cherish Me, before breaking through with...
Giga Kick set to kick-off Autumn campaign in TJ Smith Stakes
Many trainers rely on pre-trainers to prepare their horses in the early stages of their campaigns, giving them a head start before they return to the main stable. This process typically involves several weeks of light work to ensure the horses are ready to progress to galloping and trialling before...
Scenic Blast Stakes day recap
We take a look at a recap of the racing at Ascot on Saturday 25th January which was headlined by the Scenic Blast Stakes. WIN OF THE DAY Things didn’t go her way in the Miss Andretti Stakes when an unlucky third, but Twain’s Angel made amends in a big way by taking out...
Blake Shinn and Craig Williams dominate Karaka Millions meeting at Ellserslie
Leading jockeys Blake Shinn and Craig Williams stole the spotlight at the Karaka Millions meeting, claiming victory in both of the day’s feature races for powerhouse stable Te Akau Racing. Williams set the tone, guiding La Dorada to a commanding win in the NZ$1m Karaka Millions 2YO, while Shinn followed suit...
