A ROUSING track gallop by Willi Willi on Saturday has trainer Craig Widdison bullish about his chances in the Wagga Gold Cup on Friday.
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Widdison said Willi Willi's last start fifth at Caulfield over the mile was his best performance since capturing the Albury Gold Cup last year.
"I thought it was a fantastic run at Caulfield," Widdison said.
"It proved to me he is getting back to somewhere near his best.
"He has really thrived since that Caulfield run.
"His work on Saturday morning was as good as he has ever worked.
"I'm heading to Wagga fairly bullish about his chances and if he gets his fair luck in running they will know he is there."
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Widdison said the prospect of a rain affected track only fuelled his confidence.
The forecast for tomorrow is up to 40mm of rain before clearing for Friday.
"The chance of a bit of rain won't hurt him one bit," he said.
"He has won on a heavy track previously and is fairly adaptable.
"The step-up to 2000m is also going to be right up his alley."
Willi Willi will tackle the Wagga feature third-up from a spell after resuming in the Eldorado on Wangaratta Cup day in early March.
Widdison said fitness wouldn't be an issue.
"We missed a run here and there and meant to run in the Golden Mile at Bendigo but he didn't end up gaining a start," he said.
"So he missed having an extra run there.
"But the way he pulled-up after his Caulfield run was an inkling that it may have been a blessing.
"So he will only be third-up but I think he appreciates having his runs a bit more spaced now.
"I have no real qualms on him fitness wise."
Willi Willi has drawn 13 and is quoted as a $12-chance in fixed-odds markets.
The Chris Waller-trained Abdon is the early favourite at $5.
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