Kingswood heads to NZ in search of Group One

[Wandering Eyes]

Cranbourne-based trainer Gavin Bedggood has travelled to New Zealand in preparation to saddle his first international runner. 

Bedggood and Kingswood (Roaring Lion) departed Melbourne on Saturday night to prepare for the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. 

The trip to New Zealand is two-fold, an attempt to land an elusive Group One win which in turn may secure the entire a home at stud. 

 “He’s a stallion with a good pedigree page, but he’s not a sexy horse in Australia,” Bedggood said. 

“I think he would be commercial in that environment, so if he was able to go over there and jag one, that would be good. 

“There are races over there in the autumn for him too, but we’ll reassess after Boxing Day.” 

Kingswood is a son of Roaring Lion who raced in Ireland before coming to Australia, firstly with Maddie Raymond ahead of joining the Bedggood team. 

The six-year-old won the 2024 Gr.3 Coongy Cup (2000m) while his most recent victory was in the Listed Cup Day Plate (1800m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day. 

Kingswood’s latest outing was when fourth in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on December 6. 

“Ballarat was too wet, so you can put a pen through that,” Bedggood said. 

“He was great the start before at Flemington and if he gets the ground that he needs, he’ll be right amongst the action.” 

Bedggood said Kingswood’s last piece of work on Saturday morning was as good as any he seen from the entire. 

He said with a flight back to Australia not scheduled until January 12, Kingswood would have some time in the paddock in New Zealand as plans are reassessed for the entire. 

Rory Hutchings has been booked to ride Kingswood on Friday. 

“He was riding a lot for Chris Waller in Brisbane for the last few years and he’s ridden Group One winners previously,” Bedggood said. 

“Jamie Bates, Logan Bates’ father, rides trackwork for me and he thought he would be a rider that would be a good fit for him, so that was the theory behind that.” 

View the full article