Gear change to help Hedged settle in Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool

Michael Kent Jr is hopeful a gear change will allow Hedged to post his maiden stakes win in the Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool on Wednesday.

Hedged is chasing a first stakes win in the Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool on Wednesday. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

A little relaxation could propel Hedged back to the winner’s circle in Wednesday’s Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool.

The well-travelled Hedged has raced in three states and built a solid record but will chase his first stakes win in the race known as “the Newmarket of the Bush”.

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Hedged went within a half-length of breaking through when third in the Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington at his last outing.

But co-trainer Michael Kent Jr said Hedged didn’t have much luck while not helping his own cause in that race.

“He ran quite well at Mornington on what was probably a firm track and he got posted three-wide from the half-mille,” Kent Jr, who trains Hedged in partnership with Mick Price, said.

“We did apply the black (ear) muffs at The Valley two runs back and they came off again at Mornington.

“It was going to be beautiful but the pace slackened and he just got keen again so Ben (Melham) got him out wide and flowing.

“He wasn’t beaten far without having the most economical run.”

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Price and Kent Jr have decided to add a crossover nose band to Hedged’s gear in the Wangoom Handicap.

The pair also believes a shorter period between runs might ease Hedged’s tendency to overrace.

Well Done! 👏

Jett Stanley has just won the Hareeba Stakes with The Instructor on the last day of his apprenticeship! @GaiWaterhouse1@stanley_jettpic.twitter.com/K5kMSiau7m

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 19, 2025

“We just need to get him back travelling a bit more quietly in the run,” Kent Jr said.

“We’re hoping that on the 10-day back-up, he might drop his head a bit better.”

While Hedged has not won at stakes level, Kent Jr noted the son of Capitalist had performed well in some good races in his 16-start career.

“At this time last year, he got beat a nostril behind Joliestar in the Group 2 Arrowfield (Stud Stakes at Randwick),” Kent Jr said.

“He’s got really good form all around him and if we get, which we’d expect at Warrnambool as they keep it well watered for the jumpers, then he’s going to run well.

“He’ll like the bit of give in the ground and, class-wise, he’s suited in a Wangoom.”

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Ben Melham will stick with Hedged in the Wangoom Handicap.

Hedged has firmed from $4.40 to $4.20 in early Wangoom Handicap betting to hold favourtism ahead of Hareeba Stakes winner The Instructor ($5) and last-start Bendigo winner Marble Nine.

Jamie Melham’s mount, the Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans-trained Fortunate Kiss, has firmed from $15 into $10 in the first 24 hours’ betting on the feature sprint.

Originally published as Gear change to help Hedged settle in Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool