Experienced jockey Peter Knuckey is confident Red Can Man has the versatility to be a big player in Perth Group 1 races later this year.
Knuckey had no reservations making the assessment after the Gingerbread Man three-year-old ran up to his rating in Saturday’s Listed Bolton Sprint (1200m).
Racing first-up since April, Red Can Man, who commenced the $1.50 favourite, bolted in to win by 1 ¾ lengths after taking the lead inside the final 300m.
The Bolton Sprint gave Red Can Man and Knuckey their second feature success as a partnership following the Fairetha Stakes (1400m) last November.
A $50,000 yearling, Red Can Man has more than stamped himself as a horse to follow after a short but impressive start to his racing career.
He’s won seven races including his past four in succession and has never finished beyond fourth place in his 12-starts for trainer, Steve Wolfe.
“It was definitely a good performance,” Knuckey said on Tabradio.
“He’s a three-year-old turning four taking on older horses, but has done it before.
“It was a Listed race and he handled it with contempt.
“He has a big set of lungs and I’m sure there are bigger races in store for him.”
Red Can Man, who has amassed over half a million dollars in stake earnings and bonuses, has been sent straight to the paddock by Wolfe.
Knuckey said Wolfe’s handling and management of Red Can Man ensures the gelding will be primed for bigger races at Ascot.
“I think having these short preps, the horse is just developing and handling it so well that he comes back each prep better,” Knuckey said.
“You have to contribute that to the trainer doing what he does good with this horse.
“He’s not tempted to go to the well too many times in a prep.
“I think that’s why we are seeing the horse with this record.”
Knuckey said Red Can Man’s versatility will give Wolfe options to take on either the Railway Stakes (1600m) or Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
“I think Wolfey could train him for either of those races,” Knuckey said.
“If he wanted to target them the horse would front up and do him proud.
“I think a four-year-old going to weight for age (Winterbottom Stakes) with 58.5kg and you’re going to meet a Fabergino carrying 56.5kg.
“You give her 2kg while you go to a Railway pretty close to the minimum.
“As a five-year-old you could probably target a Winterbottom.
“I don’t want to scare them off Fabergino, if they want to take her on that’s there go.”
Julio Santarelli