Don’t Get Excited will return to the races in the 2014 Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool this afternoon and trainer Stephen Theodore believes that the progressive gelding is his best chance of the entire Warrnambool Racing Carnival.

Don't Get Excited has the opportunity to record a maiden win at Listed level in the 2014 Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool this afternoon. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Don’t Get Excited has not been seen at the races since he finished second behind Knoydart in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington on February 12 and has an exceptional first-up record since joining the Theodore stable in 2013.

Theodore told Racing Ahead this morning that he is looking forward to seeing Don’t Get Excited run this afternoon and believes that he is an excellent chance to record his maiden win at Listed level in the 2014 Wangoom Handicap.

“He is unbeaten first-up and unbeaten on heavy tracks for the stable,” Theodore said.

“He is weighted to win the race, but my biggest concern and my only concern today is that he has been trained first-up for 1200 and if it races as a gut-busting 1400 metre race.

“He is definitely my best chance for the carnival and he is just such a super, honest horse.

“We are excited about today’s event.”

Don’t Get Excited made his racing debut under the care of Austy Coffey in June of 2012, but found his best form after being gelded during the winter last year.

The Elvstroem gelding won his first start for Theodore in a Benchmark 65 Handicap (1000m) at Sandown on July 24 and continued his winning run with victories in the Slickpix Handicap (1300m) at Sandown on August 7, the New Zealand Bloodstock Handicap (1300m) at the same venue on August 21 and the Toll Express Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville on September 7.

Don’t Get Excited made his Listed debut in the Tavern Stakes (1410m) at Flemington on October 5 and finished an unlucky fifth and was far from disgraced in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on January 18 and Listed W.J. Adams Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on February 1 at the end of his campaign.

Don’t Get Excited is currently a narrow favourite in 2014 Wangoom Handicap betting markets, at odds of $3.50, from Darren Weir-trained Anlon ($3.70), consistent sprinter Kneeling ($7), Leon Corstens-trained Alpha Proxima ($8.50) and veteran sprinter Callanish ($9).