Mick Price believes Hedged has the ability to win a significant race, but it all comes down to whether the sprinter can maintain a calm mind.

Hedged will take on the VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) at Caulfield this Saturday, with earmuffs being worn throughout the race, a headgear choice that has previously only been used before the race. The stable hopes the earmuffs will help him settle during the race, as Hedged can sometimes get too worked up.

“He’s going well, and the conditions of the race suit him,” Price said.

“But he needs to control the first part of the race, run it at the correct pace, and that will give him a chance to finish strong. He’s got a lot of natural energy, so we need to manage him carefully.”

Price referred to a past race in Sydney where Hedged was too eager in the first half and didn’t finish the race strongly, something that the team has been working to correct.

“We’ve put in a lot of work to help him relax, and now it’s up to him to perform on race day,” Price explained.

Price was pleased with the rain in Melbourne on Wednesday and hopes for more leading into Saturday. Hedged hasn’t raced in Melbourne since April of last year.

“If he runs well, we may look at some races in Adelaide for him next,” Price said.

“With the right mindset and conditions, I believe he can win a good race.”