“With the money that’s on offer, I thought it was a no-brainer really. If you stay in Melbourne, you’re running in Underwoods and Might And Powers and races like that. You’re taking on the likes of the Via Sistinas and Treasurethe Moments.
“There’s none of those sort of horses in this race, so I thought it was a good target for good money.
“If we’d stayed in Melbourne, we probably would have been running for third tomorrow [in the Might And Power] and we’re going to start a $17 chance or something like that in a $2 million race, so I think our decision is justified.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for the opposition, but I know my horse is good enough to win on the day, too.”
Kingswood ran two-lengths sixth in the listed Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill last year in his only trip to Sydney. From gate eight and with regular jockey John Allen heading north for one ride, Kingswood had firmed into $8.50 (Sportsbet) on Friday.
“I think with even luck in the Five Diamonds, he definitely runs third or fourth,” Bedggood said.
“He probably just got a little bit too far back on that occasion, but I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t thereabouts tomorrow. He’ll be on the back of them somewhere just where the horse is comfortable and that’ll give him his best chance.”
Bedggood, who won the Doncaster Prelude at Rosehill with Just Folk in April, said Kingswood had travelled well and could return for the Rosehill Gold Cup in three weeks.
Lees timing run with each-way hopes
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees hopes his twin chances in stakes races at Rosehill can run up to their form and Rivellino can relish the mile away from that track in the group 1 Caulfield Guineas on Saturday.
Rivellino, the Inglis Millenium (1100m) and group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) winner at Randwick last season, has finished fourth in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) and sixth in the Run To The Rose (1200m) and Golden Rose (1400m), all at Rosehill, this preparation.
The Too Darn Hot colt was slow away in the San Domenico and was last early from the outside gate in the Golden Rose.
Rivellino, which has earned more than $1.7 million, has drawn well in three for the $3 million Guineas. Lees said the Guineas was Rivellino’s target race, and he hoped horses like his were able to challenge from back in the field on the day.
Rivellino was $21 with Sportsbet, which had Chris Waller-trained Wodeton ($3.80) and Autumn Boy ($4.20) at the top of betting.
“I think they are a pretty even bunch and he hasn’t been far away,” Lees said.
“And, to be fair, he’s probably suited when they are making up a bit more ground. I’m happy to give him a run away from Rosehill, albeit Caulfield can race a little similar.
“I think he’s going better than his form guide reads. Hopefully, we can utilise a nice draw and I’ve been looking forward to getting him to a mile.”
Loading
At Rosehill, Lees has Infancy in the group 3 Nivison (1200m) for mares and Tavi Time in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m).
Five-year-old Infancy ($10), with two wins in four first-up runs, is back off a sharp, winning trial at Newcastle and has a handy draw in six on Saturday. She won the group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) when resuming in the autumn.
Tavi Time ($18), with three wins in five second-up efforts, has gate five in the $1.5 million Alan Brown and hit the line well from back in the field when fourth in the Cameron Handicap at home when resuming last start.
“They are both very competitive races, but they are both going well,” Lees said.
The Lees-trained Age Of Sail won the Port Macquarie Cup, a Big Dance qualifier, on Friday.
