The win of the Anthony Freedman-trained Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock) in the final race at Caulfield on Saturday capped a stellar day for his late sire.
The ill-fated Cambridge Stud stallion had earlier been represented by winners Tavidance and Travimyfriend before the fittingly named Bedford sailed down the outside to score in the Neds Toolbox Handicap (1700m).
It was the seventh win from 26 starts for Bedford, named after the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, previously the Marchioness of Tavistock and the breeder of the late Montjeu sire Tavistock.
“He was probably helped by the quick speed and the leaders fell in their lap and he was right there,” Freedman’s racing manager Brad Taylor said.
“It was a great ride by Jamie Mott. He’s produced the two winners this week for us and this horse is a handy winter galloper and he can go through the grades from this.
“He’ll strip a lot fitter next time in. He’s got form, a couple of years ago I know, around Almandin and Homesman when they were at the top of their games so he can win a couple more races yet.”
Mott was pleased with the gelding’s fresh-up run over 1800m last month when lumped with top-weight.
“He went Terrific,” Mott said. “I was really happy with his first-up run. Even though he needed the run, he had 63 kilos and went well. Coming here today he had 61.5 kilos and I was really happy with the conditions for him.
“I was still thinking he might need the run but the way the race was run, we got back a long way and they went really hard. He was really solid to the line so he surprised me.”
Out of the four-win Stark South mare Dastaria, Bedford was purchased by Freedman Racing for $320,000 out of the Brighthill Farm draft at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
Tavistock is currently 37th on the Australian General Sires’ list and covered 118 mares in 2018 and 76 mares at Cambridge Stud last season before a freak paddock accident that ultimately lead to the proven stallion’s demise.
