St Lawrence ends drought with dominant Flemington win

Former New Zealand galloper St Lawrence (NZ) (Redwood) ended a lengthy winning drought with a dominant performance in the Ronald McDonald House Vic/Tas Trophy (1700m) at Flemington on Saturday.

The Gavin Bedggood-trained eight-year-old was sent out a $21 chance but proved far superior to his rivals, sweeping to the front under Logan Bates before racing clear to score by two lengths from Ziryab, with Future History third.

It was St Lawrence’s first victory since winning the Little Dance (1600m) at Randwick in November 2024 and took his career earnings beyond A$1.13 million.

Bedggood said the result was particularly satisfying after a frustrating period with the Redwood gelding.

“It’s probably as good as it gets,” Bedggood said. “My owners have been really patient. We’ve been waiting a long time. This horse has provided plenty of frustration along the way.

“He gets back, runs on all the time. He misses the start. Ties up at home. It was a great ride by Logan today.

“I put in a tactics change at the start of the day. We knew it didn’t look like a lot of tempo on paper and I said to Logan, ‘I don’t care what you do, you’ve got to be first-half today otherwise we just might as well stay at home’.

“Well done to him, well executed.”

The change proved decisive, with Bates making use of a clean beginning to settle St Lawrence much closer than usual before moving into the clear approaching the straight.

“He settled back the other day and I just tried something different today,” Bates said.

“I just had to give him a little bit of confidence out of the gates. He stepped well, we were able to get into a lovely spot and when we were travelling the way we were it was a matter of point and shoot.

“He was left out in front from a long way from home, but he really put in today and he won quite well.”

Bedggood also credited former trainer Ciaron Maher for helping him find the key to St Lawrence.

“I’ve got to pay Ciaron Maher a bit of credit also. I wasn’t getting a result out of him and I spoke to him six, 12 months ago and said, ‘What am I doing wrong?’

“He said, ‘Look at that horse, he doesn’t need galloping frequently. He likes his runs spaced.’

“I would say since I’ve started doing that his form has changed around. He goes to the beach after a run. Fresh is best.”

St Lawrence began his career in New Zealand with Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, winning on debut over 1400m at Hastings in 2022 before being sold to Australian interests.

He subsequently joined Maher and won five races during his first two Australian campaigns before later transferring to Bedggood after being sold online.

Saturday’s victory was his ninth from 36 starts, with earnings of A$1,133,072.

Bedggood had been considering the Listed Sale Cup (1600m) and Listed Seymour Cup (1600m), although Saturday’s success may force a rethink.

“I don’t know where to go after this,” he said. “I was planning Sale and Seymour Cups, but he’s probably shot himself in the foot winning one of them now.

“It’s a good problem to have.”

St Lawrence was bred by Gerry Harvey and is by the Westbury Stud stallion Redwood. The gelding is one of six winners from eight foals to race out of the unraced Encosta De Lago mare Bacio Del Vinto, who is also the dam of Group Three winner Marroni.