Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) is on track to return in the Gr.3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on November 27 for new trainer Gavin Bedggood after a gallop in front of Racing Victoria stewards on Monday.
An embargo meant Bedggood had to gallop the seven-year-old son of Shocking in front of stewards and get a veterinary clearance for the horse to race, with the final step a jumpout at Cranbourne next week.
Surprise Baby hasn’t raced since jumping favourite in the 2020 Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), where he finished 13th and then suffered a hairline fracture when preparing for the Gr.2 Zipping Classic (2400m).
Not only did Monday’s gallop get the approval from stewards, but it also left his trainer and jockey Jordan Childs smiling, with the latter to reunite with the Group Two winner for the first time since the 2019 Melbourne Cup in his racetrack return.
“Jordy Childs come down and rode him and he worked with No Effort yesterday and they just went 1000 evens and improved from the 600 and worked up their last 400 in 23.5 (seconds),” Bedggood told Racing.com.
“He had the other horse well and truly covered. It was pretty solid work and Jordy come in and gave a glowing report.”
Despite the Kevin Heffernan Stakes being over 1400m, Bedggood said Surprise Baby won’t be there to make up the numbers in his first racetrack appearance in more than 12 months.
“From what he’s shown me he’s got a really good turn of foot,” Bedggood said.
“He’s not your typical stayer, he was nearly able to win the Feehan (Gr.2, 1600m), which isn’t common for a Melbourne Cup horse.
“It wouldn’t surprise me to see him go to the races and run out of his skin fresh.
“I’d love to see him win or run top three first-up and relieve some of the pressure and try get him ready for an autumn campaign.
“And the way we are training we aren’t training him to run two miles or 10 furlongs this prep.
“I don’t think he’s done any work beyond 1000m and we’ve tried to keep his work short and sharp and keep some speed in his legs.”
Bedggood said the Kevin Heffernan Stakes was likely to be Surprise Baby’s cameo appearance this preparation, with eyes then set on an autumn campaign.
