Gavin Bedggood understands Windstorm was beaten fair and square by Munhamek last start at Flemington, but he is still clinging to the hope he can turn the tables in Saturday’s Winter Championship Final.
The geldings, who were separated by half-a-length when first and second in the 1620-metre The David Bourke on June 22, will again clash at the same track in the $200,000 Listed event.
Both horses drop 1kg on that run, with Munhamek to carry 60.5kg and Windstorm 54kg, and Bedggood said luck in running will be crucial.
“Fair play to the winner, it gave us 6.5kg and was too good for us, but rails-in-the-run was probably not the place to be on the day and that’s where we were,” the Cranbourne trainer said.
“We got out into clear air in enough time and we were beaten on our merits, but he’s going to be one of the main dangers I’d imagine.
“It’ll just come down to luck in running from the barrier, but he’ll be thereabouts.”
Windstorm, who will be ridden by Beau Mertens, has drawn barrier three in the 13-horse event with Munhamek (Jamie Mott) to start from gate six.
The David Bourke was just Windstorm’s third run for Bedggood and came seven days after a luckless seventh placing behind Gentleman Roy over 1400m at Sandown.
Before that he finished second over 1400m at Flemington, which have been his only starts since two sixth placings for John Leek Jnr earlier in the year.
Those 2024 runs have been his only outings since finishing down the track in the 2020 Golden Eagle and that lengthy time away from the track means Windstorm has only had 17 career starts despite turning eight in less than a month.
Bedggood is thrilled with the way he has adapted to life in his stable.
“I was pretty confident going into last start, because he’d done well in the seven days from that run at Sandown,” Beggood said.
“He’s come through that race in good order.”
Other rivals for Windstorm and Munhamek include Ciaron Maher’s Zipping Classic and Queen Elizabeth Stakes placegetter Duke De Sessa (barrier 12), The David Bourke third placegetter King Magnus (seven) and last year’s Australian Cup third placegetter Pounding (five).