A veteran middle-distance galloper with a penchant for sprinting well fresh and a rookie jumper cast adrift by his owner represent trainer Doug Harrison's bid for a feature double on the second day of the Warrnambool Cup carnival.Months of planning have gone in to setting King Johannes and Envisioning for their respective attacks on Wednesday's Wangoom Handicap (1200m) and Galleywood Hurdle (3200m).Harrison is hoping that he can extend his family's success in the Wangoom which his late father To
A veteran middle-distance galloper with a penchant for sprinting well fresh and a rookie jumper cast adrift by his owner represent trainer Doug Harrison's bid for a feature double on the second day of the Warrnambool Cup carnival.
Months of planning have gone in to setting King Johannes and Envisioning for their respective attacks on Wednesday's Wangoom Handicap (1200m) and Galleywood Hurdle (3200m).
Harrison is hoping that he can extend his family's success in the Wangoom which his late father Tom managed to win with Trisilk (1980) and Holly Moon (1982).
"It is a good race to win and a while ago I thought I would set him (King Johannes) for it," Harrison said.
Best known for his performances in longer races, King Johannes has earned more than $300,000 with seven wins up to 2000 metres.
He finished fourth in both the 2006 Moe Cup (2050m) and 2008 Mornington Cup (2000m) but has also been a capable sprinter when fresh with a win and two placings from six first-up runs.
He resumes again in the Wangoom after a three-month paddock rest was ordered for an old injury which resulted in a ligament hooking on to the bone of his pastern.
Despite the setback King Johannes last month showed he had come back as good as ever with a four-length win in a Cranbourne barrier trial, fuelling Harrison's expectations of him giving a great sight at Warrnambool.
"He's an honest horse and runs good races all the time," Harrison said.
Three-time premiership jockey Craig Williams turned down the ride on TAB Sportsbet's $4.20 favourite Arch Symbol to partner King Johannes ($14).
"We were lucky to get Craig and he knows the horse," Harrison said.
Last year's Wangoom winner Lancet has been scratched after drawing barrier 19 which has enabled first emergency and $4.80 second favourite Bocuse to get into the field.
Meanwhile, Harrison is looking for a quick return in the Galleywood Hurdle with seven-year-old gelding Envisioning after recently buying him from Hong Kong client Ben Wong.
Only the third jumper to race for Harrison, Envisioning posted a win and a third at his first two jumps starts at Pakenham a year ago before finishing fourth to Danever in the George Watson Hurdle at Flemington.
"He is a very good jumper and he is a fitter than he was last year in his first three jumps starts," Harrison said.
"We always planned to have him ready for the Galleywood.
"He has had a couple of jumps trials at Stony Creek and won his last trial by eight lengths so I'm looking forward to it."
With jockey Bill Williams engaged, Envisioning is $31 in the Galleywood market which is headed by Desert Master ($4.80) and Viz Vitae ($5.50).
Harrison's first jumper was Long Time No See who was pipped in a photo-finish when second to Highland Bill in the 1996 Grand National Hurdle.
His other jumper was Impi who showed promise early but lost form after a bleeding attack.