The best horse in trainer Craig Widdison’s country stable has relished a step up in distance to post his latest city win at Flemington.
Lightly raced Willi Willi won twice in town during his previous preparation, including the Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m) at Flemington in July, and the four-year-old was having his third run back from a spell in Saturday’s Bitalli Handicap.
Willi Willi had finished second and sixth in his opening two races of this campaign but stepped up from 1400m to 1800m on Saturday and dictated terms in front under premier jockey Craig Williams.
Sent out the $3.60 favourite, Willi Willi was able to break clear of his rivals in the straight and had three-quarters of a length to spare over Mr Churchill ($14), with another 1-1/2 lengths to Royal Ace ($5) third.
Wodonga-based Widdison said he always felt 1800m and even further would suit the gelding.
“When he won the Silver Bowl he was really strong through the line and he’s always given us the impression, the further the better,” Widdison said.
“He will probably get out to 2000 metres quite easily.
“It was good to see him do that today.”
Widdison is likely to take Willi Willi to another benchmark race in the coming weeks, while the Listed Albury Gold Cup (2000m) in March was mentioned as a possible part of his program.
“I’m not sure, he could even get to something better,” Widdison said.
