Local galloper Little Pablo should be hard to hold out in today's VB Gold Handicap (race 6) at Wangaratta.
Prepared on the course by Allan Fitzgerald, Little Pablo turned in an eye catching run over 1400m last time and looks suited when stepping up to a mile this time.
The lightly raced gelding was warming up to a win last time in, finishing runner up five back over a mile at Seymour.
He then drew off the track there and rattled home for sixth over a mile before stepping up to 2100m at Echuca but he lost the rider at the start and went out for a spell.
Resuming here over 1300m the gelding settled last and turned well back but powered home to score an impressive win.
He then stepped up to 1400m at Seymour and with a big weight settled at the back in the big field but again stormed home to finish seventh, beaten 2.8 lengths behind Bee's Honey.
Today he rises to an RB72 race but drops accordingly in the weights, down 5kg.
He is on his home track and will relish the extra journey.
While he does get back, he has a great turn of foot and on his two runs this time in will be hard to hold out again at home.
The Dean Binaisse-trained Firejet is drawn for a good run just off the pace and can go on with his good form.
The gelding placed at his first three runs from a spell, running on over 1100m at Sale fresh to just miss after a tardy beginning.
He then went to 1400m at Cranbourne to finish third before a fast finishing third over a mile at Mornington.
Last start, over a mile at Moe in an RB68, he sat closer to the speed and drew clear over the final stages to score a length win.
The gelding meets a slightly tougher grade here but carries the same weight, has drawn well again and should be in the finish.
The Brian Cox trained Cudgewa is dropping in grade after finishing seventh over 1590m at his home track of Wodonga last start.
He was runner up over the same course and distance two back in this grade when sitting close to the pace.
The trip suits and he rates highly but might be over the odds today as he drops in grade.
De Mars is close to a win and will also find this easier.
The Jim Lake trained gelding raced in open class at Tatuta latest and after a poor start ran on well to finish a half length third.
He rises in weight but is down in grade and did finish runner up at his only try at the track and trip.
The gelding should be hard to hold out again.
Wannajewel rises in grade but will take catching
