Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr were forced to bide their time before returning La Fracas to a Heavy surface, yet they’ve located the ideal opportunity at Warrnambool.

The mudlark aims to preserve his perfect record on the heaviest track rating during Wednesday’s $200,000 Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m).

The imported sprinter’s third and latest outing on Heavy ground came at Sandown on July 2 last year, where he triumphed by 2-3/4 lengths.

Price and Kent launched La Fracas’ preparation in Sydney seeking his favoured conditions, but the toughest he encountered was a Soft 6 in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m), finishing seventh.

“I try to have him fit and well for the right races on wet surfaces,” Price said.

“We even had him in Sydney trying to catch the wet tracks but they didn’t come, strangely enough.

“But I’m happy with him, his action is great and I think he’ll run very well.”

The sole uncertainty surrounding the Wangoom concerns the precise Heavy rating at Warrnambool when the race jumps at 3.20pm AEST.

Prior to Tuesday’s first day, the track was a Heavy 8, and although minimal rain is forecast for Day 1, as much as 15mm could fall on Wednesday.

While Price relishes the chance to run the Night Of Thunder son back on Heavy going, he’s cautious since the Wangoom Handicap marks the 18th event of the carnival.

“The difficulty with Warrnambool I’ve found over the years with my horses, albeit we’ve trained some winners there, is that you can have a wet tracker that doesn’t handle that choppy surface,” he said.

“But he’s going very well and I think he’ll be beautifully suited because it’s a tough 1200 there and he’s a tough 1200-metre horse.”

La Fracas carries 54.5kg in the Wangoom Handicap, with Beau Mertens aboard from gate three.

Tuesday morning saw him firm as the second pick in betting at $4.20, trailing the in-form local three-year-old Oliveanotherday at $2.20.

Explore the Australian betting sites for the best Wangoom Handicap markets.