In-form Wodonga galloper Willi Willi will eye its second win in as many starts when it heads to Caulfield today.
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The four-year-old gelding, trained by Craig Widdison, was an impressive winner at Flemington on January 20 and is a strong chance to back up for its fifth career victory.
Willi Willi has drawn barrier four and will carry 58-kilograms into the $120,000 race, the seventh on the card, over 2000 metres.
“It’s a nice next step for him,” Widdison said.
“It’s another benchmark 84 up to 2000m and it looks a nice race I think.
“It’s the same class of race, he’s just got a little bit more weight.”
Widdison was impressed with the run at Flemington and has given the ride to Craig Williams once again.
“I was quite impressed (last start), it’s the first time he’s ever had to lead and do it over a trip,” Widdison said.
“He got a cheap time of it in front, but he can only do what he can do.
“He’s probably better if he’s ridden with a sit, but he’s pretty adaptable to anything the way it’s turning out.
“Craig (Williams) will stay on which is a positive.
“He’s won three on him now and knows what he can do.”
Anthony Freedman’s Bedford won last start at Caulfield, while Mr Churchill, trained by Greg Eurell, ran second to Willi Willi at Flemington and will again be in the mix.
Friday’s market had Bedford ($2.25) slight favourite ahead of Willi Willi ($3.30).
But Widdison is remaining confident as he eyes the $180,000 Albury Cup (2000m) as Willi Willi’s target this campaign.
“He’s come through it really well, I'm really happy with him,” he said.
“He’s probably better again and we’ve drawn a nice barrier (four), so he probably won’t have to work as hard.
“You’d think he’ll get a nice run in the race and be hard to beat again.”
Widdison has nominated recent Albury winners Lord Laurie and Mr Fergus for races at Sandown next Wednesday, before a busy program awaits the stable closer to home.
He is likely to have runners at Wagga next Friday, with Wodonga races on the Sunday and Albury the following Friday.
Meanwhile, Tumbarumba’s Philip Waters hopes Black Fusion can deliver him his first win as a trainer in his hometown Cup on Saturday.
Waters is not entering the feature race with too much confidence, but admits it would be dream come true if he could capture the $12,000 event (1400m).
He purchased Black Fusion about 12 months ago and kept him with Wagga trainer Scott Spackman until he got his licence.
The eight-year-old has had wins in the Boorowa, Leeton and Lockhart Cups and was second in the $50,000 Picnic Championship at Dubbo.