Red Can Man out to end long drought
Mention to Steve Wolfe that Red Can Man has not won a race for a while and the Albany-based trainer bristles at the remarks.
The records show Red Can Man hasn’t been successful since the G3 John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield two years ago.
But, delve deeper and those same records indicate Red Can Man has performed competitively against quality opposition since then.
After the Monash in Melbourne, Red Can Man has gone around a further 21 times and racked up nine placings in Group and Listed events.
In 2022 he reeled off seconds to Group 1 champion Elite Street in the Northam Stakes (1100m) and Roma Cup (1200m) and God Has Chosen in the Belmont Sprint (1400m).
As a seven-year-old, Red Can Man gears up for another Ascot Pinnacles campaign, kicking it off in Saturday’s Crawford Stakes (1000m) at Ascot.
The son of Gingerbread Man, who has not raced since May, showed good speed to lead and win a 950m Lark Hill trial at the beginning of the month.
Wolfe is confident Red Can Man can end a long losing drought in the Crawford Stakes.
“Everyone says he hasn’t won one for a couple of years, but it’s like running second in a grand final and losing by a point,” Wolfe said on Tabradio.
“They only remember the winners, but he’s raced at the top level in the last two years and as I’ve said numerous times he got beaten an eyelash by Elite Street and a good mare Amelia’s Jewel beat him.
“He’s weighted right and is in very good order, probably better than he was last year because he’s had a good spell.
“Fingers crossed he can get back on the board, there’s plenty of pace and he can sit in behind them.
“The sparks will fly, so we could be back in the ruck a little bit, he will be doing his best work late, I’m sure.”
Red Can Man is on the 55kg minimum and jumps from barrier five for in form jockey, Shaun Mcgruddy.
The $1.3 million stakes earner is favourite with Ladbrokes in the Crawford Stakes, he holds the call at $2.80, in from $4.40.
Meanwhile Wolfe says he’ll be delighted if River Rubicon can finish in the first five in the Eurythmic Stakes.
A winner of the Nicopolis Stakes two starts back, the Rubick gelding has shortened to $15 from his opening quote of $19 with online bookie sites.
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