2025 Wangoom Handicap sets up well for Marble Nine

Marble Nine will head into Wednesday’s Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) full of confidence after a strong last-start win at Bendigo, setting the stage for a potential Black Type breakthrough at Warrnambool.

Prepared by Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, the four-year-old has been highly consistent this prep, placing at Flemington and Moonee Valley before his Bendigo win on April 12.

His credentials in Stakes company are already established, having run third in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) and a close-up finish in the W H Wylie Handicap (1100m) in Adelaide.

“He ran second at Moonee Valley, and that surprised me a bit because I was a bit uncertain how he handled The Valley,” Troy Corstens said.

“But he ran really well and confirmed that with a good win at Bendigo.”

Corstens believes the set-up is ideal with Marble Nine dropping back in trip and carrying just 54kg under Harry Coffey, who replaces Ben Allen due to the weight scale.

“Unfortunately, Ben Allen can’t make the weight, but the horse is very, very well and I’m really pleased with him,” he said.

“I like the lead-up that we’ve had with him. The tough 1300 metres at Bendigo and now we’re coming back to the 1200 metres on Wednesday, and the rain, if it comes at Warrnambool, which it usually does, he’ll love that.

“He’s got no weight on his back, a good rider, so it sets up really nicely for him.”