Mornington trainer David Brideoake is forgiving of Red Can Man’s Melbourne debut and anticipates an improved performance from the former West Australian galloper at Caulfield on Saturday.
Having his first start in Victoria, Red Can Man finished seventh to The Astrologist when he started favourite in the Jack Styring OAM Sprint (1100m) at Flemington three weeks ago.
Astrologist, from the Leon & Troy Corstens yard, has made the form look good by going back-to-back and taking out the All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington last Saturday.
Previously under the care of Steve Wolfe in Albany, Red Can Man has won seven races from 19 starts and is a dual Listed winner, claiming the Fairetha Stakes (1400m) and Bolton Sprint (1200m).
Red Can Man’s first start for David Brideoake came after he ran sixth to Elite Street in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot last November.
Having displayed plenty of promise in the west, punters threw their support around Red Can Man after he posted an impressive Traralgon trial win.
Brideoake believes Red Can Man is worthy of another chance and points to fitness and a different course as being pivotal when he contests the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m).
“He’d been off the scene for a little while and needed the outing,” Brideoake told The Races WA.
“He raced a little fresh and I don’t think he was that comfortable down the Flemington straight.
“He’ll be better at Caulfield and going around a corner.
“He’s trained on well.”
Despite heightened expectations, Brideoake says his confidence in Red Can Man was not dented in any way by his first-up defeat in Victoria.
He expects the four-year-old to bounce back and show his best.
“When you have a horse race for the first time you always have something to learn,” Brideoake said.
“He’s come out of the race really good and I couldn’t be happier with him.”
Red Can Man has drawn barrier and will be ridden by Ben Melham.
