If the program trainer Leon Corstens has in mind for his handy sprinter Tokugawa mean anything, he should be well and truly in the mix in Wednesday's Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool.
Corstens is contemplating a run in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap for the five-year-old who resumes in Wednesday's feature sprint.
"He's going along really well and I'm very pleased with him," Corstens said.
"He's got to be there with a definite chance."
Tokugawa is on the third line of Wangoom betting at $6 with That's The One and Wealth Princess preferred ahead of him.
But his chances would improve enough for him to challenge those horses if the Warrnambool track was less firm.
"I'd like to see a bit of sting out of the ground but it doesn't look like that will happen," Corstens said.
The track condition is also a concern for Australia's best young hurdler Brungle Cry who runs in Wednesday's Galleywood Hurdle.
Trainer Robert Smerdon said rain would increase his confidence in the favourite who suffered a rare defeat at Sandown last start.
"I was a bit disappointed, but his jockey wasn't, so I'll go with him," Smerdon said.
Smerdon has put blinkers on Brungle Cry for Wednesday's race after the horse showed an appreciation for the gear in a recent trial.
Warrnambool's feature jumps race, Thursday's Grand Annual Steeplechase, has already suffered a couple of casualties with Regal Heir likely to miss the race along with Via Savoia who fell at the last in Tuesday's Brierly Steeplechase.