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By Ray Hickson

There’s a theory that the short course might be a bit sharp for lightly raced gelding Hedged first-up at Kembla Grange on Saturday but co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr doesn’t necessarily agree.

Trainer Michael Kent Jnr (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The four-year-old warms up for a Magic Millions campaign in the Group 3 $300,000 Snap Print Solutions The Warra (1000m) and while Kent Jnr concedes he’s being aimed at slightly longer races he’s shown in his two trials this time around that he’s sharp enough.

Hedged, $4.80 with TAB on Thursday, hasn’t raced since winning over 1350m at Ipswich in June but his co-trainer says a fresh win isn’t beyond him.

“His peak rating I would say is when he won by four and a half lengths at Sandown one day over 1000m so I don’t think it’s too sharp for him and I think the race will really work out well,’’ Kent Jnr said on Sky Sports Radio.

“He’s drawn a nice gate to be just off the pace and off the fence, blending in at the right time. He will be very strong late.

“It is a prep run but he definitely can win on the way through.”

The gelding gave an indication of his ability when running Joliestar to a narrow margin during The Star Championships earlier this year.

He continued that form in Queensland with a placing behind Silver Eagle winner Ostraka before his Ipswich win.

“He's always been an immature horse, always dancing around with touchy shins and immature knees,’’ Kent Jnr said.

“We’ve just given him time and I’m really glad the owners have been patient because it’s going to be the making of this horse.

“He’s already a good horse, he got beaten a nostril behind Joliestar in the Arrowfield back last preparation.”

With Raikoke staying home, the stable will be represented by Keitel in the Elite Sand & Soil Handicap (1200m) and the five-year-old will be protecting perfect fresh statistics.

Kent Jnr said there’s more depth in his Kembla assignment than he met last preparation so he’s more hopeful than confident he can strike first-up.

“He’s drawn the perfect barrier for him, he’s got a very sharp sprint but it’s not long lived I feel,’’ he said.

“So from barrier four if he can get a soft cuddle and get the cart up, if things work out for him, he could definitely run into the first four.

“He is up in grade and he’s got to keep improving.”

There’s no shortage of confidence from Kent Jnr about Blazing Harry going into the Evergreen Turf Handicap (1400m) after his impressive win on the Big Dance program at Randwick.

He made light work of 61.5kg and a wide gate to score a comfortable win and has earned the right to tackle something tougher, but it’s certainly not the toughest race the trainer sees him contesting in his career.

Hedged wins a trial at Randwick on November 11

“I think he’s our best of the day, he’s going super. He’s very well placed again,’’ he said.

“The Kembla track should suit him, he’s clearly destined for better things and as he’s going through the grades it’s the time to follow him.

“I think 1400m suits again and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be hard to beat.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Kembla Grange meeting