Expectations have been high for Express Pass right from the time the Nick Ryan-trained galloper stepped out on the racecourse.
While placed a couple of times in stakes company, Express Pass now gets the chance to notch a first success when he contests the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday.
Express Pass ran third on debut in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes at Caulfield and two starts later finished third to Dalasan and Dubious in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
That Danehill Stakes performance led to Express Pass being tried in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m), a trip his trainer said was beyond the then three-year-old.
Ryan said setbacks as a younger horse, including flipping over and injuring his wither followed by a gelding operation, had forced Express Pass to spend time on the sidelines.
As it is, Express Pass is coming off a freshen-up having not raced since finishing fifth to Kalkarni Royale, an opponent on Saturday, at Flemington over 1000m last month.
“After his last run we thought we’d freshen him up, so he had some time in the paddock,” Ryan said.
“He’s had one little soft jump-out on the course proper and we took him to The Valley on Tuesday and we’ve got him fresh and bouncing for Saturday.
“It looks like it will be a high-pressure race. He’s always shown good ability and would be up to this at his best, it’s just whether he’s in touch with them and they come back to him.”
Rhys Mcleod, who has been aboard in two of the gelding’s four wins from 16 starts, is reunited with Expass Pass on Saturday.
“Rhys rode him work at The Valley on Tuesday and was happy with how he went,” Ryan said.
“I think there is a good race in him. He’s been stuck in the 80’s with his rating and with the set-weights here he gets a bit of relief.
“He’s super and I think he’s going the best he’s ever gone.”
