Red Can Man’s top last start run in the Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) has given jockey Shaun McGruddy confidence he can win the Group 1 Kirin Railway Stakes (1600m) for the first time on Saturday.
Red Can Man ran second in the weight for age feature and was only cut down in the last 50 metres by Kay Cee, who charged home to win by just under a length.
McGruddy respects Kay Cee, a winner of last year’s Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m), but believes a weight turnaround and handicap conditions will assist Red Can Man.
Kay Cee, one of two runners for trainer Neville Parnham, has been allotted 56kg in the Railway Stakes, a drop of 1kg from the Lee Steere Stakes.
The daughter of Playing God must defy history as no mare has carried more than 54kg to win the iconic mile race.
Dual Listed winner Red Can Man carries 53.5kg, 5.5kg less than the Lee Steere Stakes.
“His run the other day was super and I thought it was his best run this time in,” McGruddy told Tabradio.
“The weight for age didn’t worry him and Kay Cee had to break 34 (sec) to beat him.
“It took a Group 1 winning horse to beat him on the day.
“She (Kay Cee) is going to be hard to beat, but he (Red Can Man) gets a big pull in the weights.
“I think he will be spot on for the day and with 53.5kg he won’t know what’s on his back.
“I feel if anyone is going to beat Kay Cee it’s going to be us.
“I couldn’t give him a better push than that.”
Red Can Man is $8.50 and Kay Cee $6 with Tabtouch.
Inspirational Girl is the $3.70 favourite.
Meanwhile, fresh from there outstanding Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) victory last Saturday, McGruddy is hoping Watch Me Dance can repeat it in the Group 2 Sky Racing WA Guineas (1600m).
McGruddy’s only concern is how the top filly has recovered from racing on a heavy track.
“With any sort of horse that’s raced on Saturday you won’t know how much it took out of them until they actually get there and perform,” McGruddy said.
“I think she is pretty tough and it won’t surprise to see her pull up well from Saturday.
“Hopefully, she draws a gate.”
McGruddy’s wish was granted big time with Watch Me Dance to jump from barrier one.
On Tabtouch she is a $10 fancy to record the second leg of a feature race double.
Julio Santarelli