Since winning the Wodonga Gold Cup in November, the Craig Widdison-trained galloper has had three unplaced runs at Pakenham, Flemington and Caulfield.

Willi Willi is also set to contest next month's Albury Gold Cup with Saturday his final hit-out before the $200,000 feature.

Widdison conceded Willi Willi would need to prove ultra-competitive in the Wangaratta Cup if he was going to be any hope of snaring a second Albury Cup.

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Despite receiving 34 nominations for its premier race, Willi Willi has only eight rivals in the cup.

"It's been five weeks since his previous run at Caulfield which most people would query," Widdison said.

"But if you go back through his form he performs as his best when his runs are spaced.

"It was only a plain effort at Caulfield but he got quite worked up before the race and I'm prepared to forgive him the run.

"He got himself into a lather in the mounting yard and by the time he got around to the gates it was dripping off him.

"While he can be a handful behind the gates, he's not normally a mess like he was at Caulfield.

"The track was also quite firm because it was the last race of the day and he just didn't like it."

Widdison said his stable star's work since the Caulfield run had been first rate.

"He seems to be in terrific order and his work has been great," he said.