Poor start did not hinder Hedge Craft
Hedge Craft has a habit of walking out of the starting gates, which has limited his ability to finish higher in races.
Hedge Craft once again staggered out of the starting gates on Saturday, December 16, 2023, but this time, under a more patient ride from jockey Ruja Lahoe, the three-year-old dark brown/bay colt came from last position to beat rivals in a maiden condition race for native-bred three-year-olds going 7 furlongs (1,400m).
Captain Philip (Oshane Nugent), Security Code (Shavon Townsend), and Sweet Victory (Tevin Foster) chased Glittering Magnum (Trevor Simpson) after the barriers were opened.
As the group passed the 5-furlong (1,000m) mark, Hedge Craft was still way behind the leaders.
Lahoe then instructed his mount to go at the half-mile (800m) turn, to which Hedge Craft replied by rounding horses while racing on the inside rails. Hedge Craft came off the last bend, second behind Sweet Victory, and wasted no time in the stretch, hitting the front at the furlong pole, then going on to win by 3 1/2 lengths.
Sweet Victory was second and Princess Talise (Dane Dawkins) was third. The final time for the race was 1:30.0 (24.3 x 48.3 x 1:14.3).
