Hedged hasn’t had luck on his side this campaign, and he now seeks redemption for the Gavin Bedggood stable in The Meteorite at Cranbourne.

The gelding has four wins from 20 outings, yet he remains winless this prep despite consistently strong efforts.

Adversity has been the theme across all three of his runs for Bedggood.

He kicked off with a close second at Cranbourne on October 10, then endured a luckless trip at Flemington on the opening day of Cup week, before again running bravely for second behind Boston Rocks at Caulfield.

According to Bedggood, a touch of luck could have easily resulted in a pair of victories, though he acknowledged last Saturday’s winner was simply too good.

The stable has had their eye on The Meteorite from early in the preparation, and Bedggood says Hedged arrives ready to peak.

“It was always an option, as we have always known it was there,” Bedggood said.

“When he drew well last week and he came up favourite, we had to take our chance. We didn’t get our chance, but in saying that I still think we run second, just a little closer, and he certainly hasn’t raced poorly for us.

“He had no luck first-up, he was stiff second-up at Flemington, and probably should have run second, and I think last week he was beaten by the better horse.”

Hedged also contested races in Sydney and Brisbane when trained by Price and Kent Jnr, and this weekend last year he claimed third in The Warra at Kembla Grange.

With a run under his belt from last Saturday, Hedged has been kept fresh coming into this weekend.

“We haven’t had to do anything with him this week other than tick him over,” Bedggood said.

“He’s drawn well and he looks as though he’ll get a good run from that gate.

“Jigsaw and Zou Sensation are drawn outside him, and they usually look to push forward, and he should be third or fourth, and hopefully we can stay off the fence.”

Jamie Mott takes the reins on Hedged for the first time.