Wolfe Confident About His Man
There was an air of confidence emanating from Steve Wolfe on Tabradio this morning (Friday).
The Albany-based trainer will saddle up top fancy Red Can Man in the Group 3 Hosemasters Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.
A dual Listed winner of the Fairetha Stakes (1400m) and Bolton Sprint (1200m), Red Can Man has come unstuck in two runs this preparation.
Wide barriers and sitting on top of fast run races has contributed to his defeats when unplaced in the Black Heart Bart Stakes (1200m) and Northerly Stakes (1400m) respectively.
The Gingerbread Man gelding boxed on gamely and was only 2 ½ lengths from the winner in both losses, but couldn’t withstand the on-pace pressure.
Red Can Man will jump from barrier six in the Asian Beau Stakes, Shaun McGruddy retaining the ride, in a race that appears to lack genuine speed.
Wolfe is confident with a better barrier and less pace in the race that Red Can Man can return to winning form.
“He is getting closer and his two runs have been probably better than they looked,” Wolfe said on Tabradio.
“He’s been up there drawing wide and they have been running it like the Oakleigh Plate.
“If he had drawn a gate last start, I reckon he would have won, he only got beaten 2.8. (lengths)
“Most starts when he has gone around the leaders that have been with him, they have run last, he’s boxed on.
“He’s getting there and we won’t be far away.
“He will be competitive.”
Wolfe says Red Can Man can get a major confidence boost in the Asian Beau Stakes as he targets his main race, the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 21.
“The 21st of November is the main day for us,” Wolfe said.
“We hope we can get there in one piece.
“We will decide if we butter up next week (Lee Steere) or go three weeks after tomorrow.”
Further ahead, Wolfe can’t hide his excitement about Watch Me Dance in Tuesday’s Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m).
The Sires’ champion, in the unfamiliar role as pacemaker, ran a cracking third to Magical Dream in the Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m) last Saturday.
“Her run to me was out of the moon,” Wolfe said.
“She was only beaten a nose for second after doing all the donkey work.
“She is in wonderful order and this race will bring her to her top.”
Red Can Man is $4.20 in the Asian Beau Stakes, behind favourite Inspirational Girl $2.25 and Cup Night $3.90.
Julio Santarelli.