Purchased with the hope of winning his local Cranbourne Cup, Gavin Bedggood has lowered his sights with former Godolphin galloperZiegfeld.
The former James Cummings -trained gelding joined Bedggood after finishing fourth in the Listed Victoria Cup (2000m) at Caulfield in February but has yet to feature in the money in five starts.
Bedggood is hoping that will change on Saturday when Ziegfeld lines up in the Sharp Extensive IT Handicap (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
Ziegfeld has had two runs back from a spell, beating one home in the Wodonga Cup on November 25 before again beating just one home at Sandown on December 10.
Bedggood has gone back to winkers instead of the blinkers Ziegfeld wore at Sandown last start.
“We put blinkers on him, and he raced too keen, went too quick in front,” Bedggood said.
“He was running low to mid-11’s the whole way and they can’t burn the candles at both ends.
“We’ve put Craig Newitt on, we’ll be going forward again and hopefully he can rate him in front and get his chance to run well.
“It’s his first time back to a benchmark 84. He’s contested much stronger races than this and he’s been a frustrating horse since we got him, but on his day he’s good enough to be winning a race like that.
“We bought him with the idea of winning a Cranbourne Cup, but he hasn’t got anywhere near the heights of that, so we’re trying to capture something from the wreckage at the moment.”
Bedggood will also saddle up Exeter in the Raymond Martin Handicap (1200m) and Boss Queen in the Drummond Golf Handicap (1200m).
The trainer said Exeter will appreciate the weight drop on Saturday and with a liking for Moonee Valley could bounce back while Boss Queen is an honest mare that had scored well at Sandown last time.
All three horses will be ridden by Craig Newitt who has been in sparkling form since Christmas.
“Craig will suit those horses,” Bedggood said.
“They’re go-forward types, he’s strong and he doesn’t leave anything wanting in a finish.
“He backs himself and throws the cat amongst the pigeons and gives them their chance.”