Trainer Gavin Bedggood to unveil St Lawrence at Flemington, with Sandown Cup winner Diwali to also be entered

Group 1 Cranbourne trainer Gavin Bedggood is aiming new acquisition St Lawrence at Flemington on Saturday as a potential candidate for next month’s Listed Winter Championship Series Final.

Cranbourne trainer Gavin Bedggood is mapping out a path for talented gallopers St Lawrence (top left) and Diwali (bottom left).

Group 1 Cranbourne trainer Gavin Bedggood could unveil new acquisition St Lawrence at Flemington on Saturday as a potential candidate for next month’s Listed Winter Championship Series Final.

St Lawrence, ex-Ciaron Maher, has won eight of 23 starts and a tick under $1m prizemoney.

The rising seven-year-old was last February purchased for $85,000 and transferred to Bedggood by passionate racehorse owner-breeder Paul Lofitis, of the Lofty Group.

St Lawrence has tuned up with an impressive two-length 1300m Seymour trial win last Wednesday.

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“He might run in The David Bourke or we might wait for an Open 1400m the following Saturday,” Bedggood said.

“We bought him online … he was a good get.

“He’ll head towards the Winter Championship hopefully.”

St Lawrence wins the Little Dance in a thrilling finish and @cmaherracing celebrate the Big - Little Dance double! 🙌@SchofieldChad | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/iANUddiE2M

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 5, 2024

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Bedggood also has new arrival, Casino Seventeen, 2024 Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) winner, set for a Victorian debut in The David Bourke (1600m).

Former West Australian Casino Seventeen, previously trained by Grant and Alana Williams, last raced on New Year’s Day when fifth in a bid to defend the Perth Cup title.

Casino Seventeen also won a 1300m trial at Seymour last Wednesday.

What a nailbiter!

Favourite Casino Seventeen hangs tough to notch up his 3rd stakes victory in the $1 million Group 2 @TAB_touch Perth Cup over 2400m at Ascot.

Taking earnings past $1.1 million, Casino Seventeen is by Vinery Stud’s Casino Prince and was originally sold for… pic.twitter.com/OoJutKGR8N

— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) January 1, 2024

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Bedggood confirmed Sandown Cup winner Diwali would contest the 2500m race at Headquarters on Saturday, a bridging run to the Flemington Cup (2800m) on July 19.

The astute trainer conceded Diwali would need to go “to another level” again after rising sharply in rating.

Diwali received a 20-point boost – he now has an 86 benchmark rating – for the Sandown Cup win.

“He’s only four and a very sound horse so hopefully he can keep on his upward trajectory,” Bedggood said.

“Our next run or two will tell us, it has to, because his rating jumped up 20 points from that win so he’s got to go to another level now too.”

Diwali relishes the two-mile test of the Listed Sandown Cup ⭐️@GavinBedggood's strong form continues 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JjppYe0uvg

— Racing.com (@Racing) June 1, 2025

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The lightly-raced stayer has thrived with Bedggood, going from a Benchmark 58 win at Moe to Listed Sandown Cup in four starts.

He placed second on debut for the stable in April in a Benchmark 64.

“He was very good at his first run for me and that horse (winner Fernao) has gone on to run third in the Andrew Ramsden,” Bedggood said.

“We took him to Moe to get a win because his rating allowed us to … he was ridden too close here (Sandown) the (third) start (for stable) and ran a good second.

“We were rapt with his run a fortnight ago, so he should be competitive again.”