Red Can Man runs red-hot

Steve Wolfe has begun the 2019-20 racing season with a bang, promising three-year-old Red Can Man chalking up the Albany stable’s fourth metropolitan winner at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Red Can Man broke his maiden status at Northam last month and then produced a gutsy performance after being headed by Niccovi in the home straight.

Urged on by jockey Shaun McGruddy, the son of Gingerbread Man dug deep to retake the lead and win by 0.2 lengths to make it two wins in five career starts.

Despite the impressive victory, Wolfe was cautious on his the future of Red Can Man despite next month’s Group 2 $500,000 WA Guineas looming as an ideal target.

“He ran the fastest 1200m time of the day, quicker than Man Booker so that’s a terrific sign,” Wolfe said.

“All things are really good with him, he looks a serious prospect.

“We’ll look at another start in two or three weeks, we haven’t decided that yet.

“I’m not overly concerned about the Guineas the main thing is keeping the horse where he is and keep him happy.

“There are a lot of great blokes in the ownership and this horse is giving them a thrill which is what it’s about.”

Last Saturday, Minus Looks was a brilliant first-up winner for Wolfe coming from sixth on the turn to win over 1200m. Three Secrets and Go Crying both won metropolitan races in August.

Wolfe added another winner on Monday, when three-year-old filly Mood Goddess came from last on the corner to score a slashing maiden win over 1400m at Northam.

The reigning Great Southern trainer of the year has 19 two-year-old horses in his stable and said there was plenty of exciting racing on the horizon with the return of the likes of Lordhelpmerun, One Short and youngster Cold as Cold.

Meanwhile, Tenterden-bred apprentice jockey Jess Gray was recognised at last Thursday’s Thoroughbred Regional Racing and Apprentice Jockey Awards.

Gray, now based in Perth, was named the 2019 Country Racing Association leading apprentice.