"I really had no intention of backing him up either until I rode him in track work on Monday morning. He strutted out onto the track and felt terrific."
- Craig Widdison
TRAINER Craig Widdison is relying on his intuition and is set to have Willi Willi on the quick back-up at Pakenham on Saturday.
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Willi Willi returned to form with a barnstorming win in last Friday's Wodonga Gold Cup with jockey Jarrod Fry aboard.
In doing so, both Widdison and Willi Willi claimed a slice of history by becoming the first trainer and horse to win the Albury-Wodonga Cup double in almost two decades.
Willi Willi has previously performed best in the past after having his runs well-spaced.
But Widdison said he had no qualms about the quick back-up after he rode Willi Willi in track work on Monday.
"It's not something that I have ever done with him," Widdison said.
"I really had no intention of backing him up either until I rode him in track work on Monday morning.
"He strutted out onto the track and felt terrific.
"So I thought I would nominate him for Pakenham and monitor the horse during the week.
"He hasn't missed a beat and gets into another winnable race."
IN OTHER NEWS
Before Friday, Willi Willi had failed to win in 10 starts with his last victory in the Albury Gold Cup almost two years ago.
Widdison said winning on his home track on Friday and not having to travel was a big factor in his decision to race Willi Willi again so soon.
"Not having to travel last week makes a big difference," he said.
"A few of his rivals are coming out of the Seymour Cup run at Kilmore which Spunlago also contested.
"Spunlago proved to be fairly competitive at Kilmore and Willi Willi was able to just beat him in the Wodonga Cup.
"So that gives me a bit of confidence.
"Ocedon drops in grade after not being beaten that far in group 3 company at Sandown last-start and is probably the horse we all have to beat."
Willi Willi has had one previous start at Pakenham two years ago over 1400m where he finished runner-up.
Fry retains the mount after his Wodonga Cup triumph.
"I thought Jarrod produced a gem of a ride in the cup," he said.
"Willi Willi is not the easiest horse to ride and you are better off having someone on board that knows the horse if possible."
Willi Willi is quoted as a $13-chance in fixed odds markets.
The Matt Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained Ocedon is the pre-post favourite at $3.
Widdison said he is also keen to target the $140,000 Lord Stakes, (1700m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day with his stable star.
Willi Willi will also have a freshen-up before attempting to defend his Albury Gold Cup crown.
