Hurdler Westsouthwest, well beaten at his last outing by jumps newcomer Montgomery, will take to the flat on Wednesday to press his claims for the rescheduled Australian Hurdle.

Trainer Robert Smerdon will run Westsouthwest at Sandown in the Le Pine Funerals Handicap (1800m) to fine tune the five-year-old's lead-up to the jumps feature.

Westsouthwest needs to make up eight lengths on Montgomery in the Australian Hurdle on August 28 after finishing second to the promising jumper at Sandown on August 7.

Smerdon described Montgomery "as a formidable opponent" for Westsouthwest, such was the dominance of his Sandown win.

"We're hoping Montgomery's rating has jumped up significantly so that they will be a lot closer in weights," Smerdon said.

"Our bloke made a jumping error at the top of the hill that cost him but I don't see that there's enough there to say we'll beat him.

"If we jump cleanly it might bring us closer to him."

In the 3500m race, Westsouthwest carried 71kg compared to Montgomery's 65.5kg.

Smerdon said Westsouthwest's Sandown outing would improve the horse's fitness before the Australian Hurdle.

"It will be a good hit-out and we can get some race day miles into him," Smerdon said.

The trainer said he would be looking for an honest performance from Westsouthwest in a race which also includes fellow jumpers Dubhdara and Xaar Best.

"The speed goes out of them after a couple of hurdle runs so he will probably settle off them and be running on," Smerdon said.

The Australian Hurdle, along with the Australian Steeplechase, was rescheduled when heavy rain caused the cancellation of the June 1 meeting at Sandown.

Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams is hoping his three-year-old colt Ticket To Toorak can show the sort of form that will justify him a role in Melbourne's rich spring carnival.

He's taking on 1400 metres for the first time in the Roy Higgins and Wylie Dalziel Racing Handicap, a race Williams hopes will provide a guide to his carnival prospects over 1600m.

"There's a listed mile race for colts and geldings on (Victoria) Derby Day, that's more realistic," Williams said.