Marble Nine’s gritty victory in a recent benchmark race at Bendigo may have perfectly set him up for a breakthrough Stakes win in the Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at the Warrnambool Carnival on Wednesday.

Trained by the partnership of Leon and Troy Corstens alongside Will Larkin, Marble Nine heads to the Listed sprint after proving his competitiveness in similar company, including a Group 3 placing in the Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last July.

He also produced a narrow third at Morphettville in the Listed W H Wylie Handicap (1100m), underlining his Black Type credentials.

This will be the four-year-old’s fourth run of the prep, and his consistency has been a highlight. After a third at Flemington and a runner-up finish behind The Instructor at Moonee Valley, he broke through with a tough 1300m win at Bendigo on April 12.

“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 return to 1200m suits Marble Nine perfectly and is optimistic the conditions will be in his favour.

Harry Coffey picks up the ride from Ben Allen, who is unable to make the minimum 54kg for Wednesday’s feature.

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