A maiden winner at Seymour last August, it’s been a busy and fruitful season for Capitalist three year-old Hedged, who has racked up stakes-placings at two of his last three starts with a break through victory in the $120,000 Schweppes TL Cooney (1350m) at Ipswich on Saturday welcomed by his big ownership group.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, Hedged ran the race of his life when beaten a head by Joliestar in the $1million Group II ATC Arrowfield Sprint in April and followed with two more placings before this assignment.
Ridden a positive race by Vlad Duric, he led throughout and kicked clear to win by a length taking his overall record to four wins and five placings from 11 starts with prizemoney just shy of $560,000.
"He hung the whole race to be honest so I was on one rein the whole time, but he's a nice horse. I didn't have it in my head to lead, but we jumped really well so we took it up,” said Vlad Duric.
“They don't usually win when they hang that badly, especially a feature race, so it's a real credit to the horse's ability. Maybe he got a bit confused on the tight turning track, but he's clearly a talented horse.
"He's still learning his craft but it's nice to get a win for Mick and Junior, so I should thank them for the opportunity."
A $140,000 Magic Millions purchase for Mick Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd/Roll The Dice Racing/Rogers Bloodstock, he was bred and sold by Yulong and is the first winner for Acing Shamrock, an unraced half-sister by Fastnet Rock to Group II winner Nafaayes from US Group III winner Decelerator (USA).
Hedged is one of 134 winners this season for Capitalist that have banked over $10million earnings.
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