Clayton Douglas says it will be a different Warrnambool Three-Day Carnival for him this year being on the other side of the fence.
Now a trainer based at Mornington, Douglas rode in the Grand Annual Steeplechase on four occasions, winning twice and finishing second on the other two occasion aboard Gold Medals.
Douglas had hoped to have a runner in one of the jumps races over the three days, but instead will have runners on the flat.
One of those will be in Wednesday’s Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m).
“It’s a different carnival this year on the other side of the fence,” Douglas said.
“It will be a bit of a weird feeling but I’m really looking forward to getting down there and supporting jumps racing and the carnival in general.
“But unfortunately, I haven’t got a jumper.
“I had one, Midnight Shift, but unfortunately, he injured himself early in the season and we missed out there and he was probably going to be a Warrnambool horse.
“Hopefully we can get down there next year and we can have a jumper.”
Bless Her has had two runs back from a break and Douglas is hoping the soft conditions will bring her to the fore on Wednesday.
Douglas said Bless Her’s first-up run at The Valley on March 25 was sound while at her last start she finished fifth to Extreme Warrior in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on April 23.
“She’s going super,” Douglas said.
“She ran well on hard ground first-up which she doesn’t like and the other day at Caulfield she got the right run in transit but was probably a little bit unlucky late.
“We got beaten a length which was a really good run.
“I think she’s ready for the 1200 metres third-up and she’s looking for the soft ground and I think she’s there as a live hope.”
