After scoring a fighting win last time out at Caulfield, Mornington trainer David Brideoake can see no reason why Red Can Man can’t replicate his winning ways again on the weekend.
After his first-up loss on debut in Melbourne, the Western Australian-owned four-year-old bounced back and atoned by winning the Group 3 Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Returning to the same track and venue, Brideoake is enthusiastic Red Can Man can make it a feature race double in Saturday’s Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m).
“I think he will go nicely to the races on Saturday,”David Brideoake told The Races WA.
“The horse is in good shape and this is weight for age, so he’s actually quite favourably treated at the weights.
“His third run in and I like third run in.
“I think he will run a really good race on Saturday.”
Red Can Man flashed big potential in Perth under the guidance of veteran Albany trainer, Steve Wolfe.
The son of Gingerbread Man won the Fairetha Stakes (1400m) and the Bolton Sprint (1200m).
He also ran competitive races in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) before he transferred to Brideoake.
Red Can Man didn’t meet high expectations at his first Melbourne outing, finishing seventh behind The Astrologist down the Flemington straight.
The run might have appeared fair and on the plain side in certain circles, but Brideoake shrugged off any concerns and says he was far from perturbed.
“He raced fresh, but he hadn’t raced for seven or eight months,” Brideoake said.
“He just needed an outing and it was his first time at Flemington.
“I’ve had very good confidence in him all the way.
“Let’s hope there is a bit of progress.”
That progression will lead to Red Can Man’s ultimate target this preparation, the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 28.
Ben Melham partnered Red Can Man in the Monash, but can’t keep the mount due to suspension.
