Red Can Man to butter up in Winterbottom Stakes, Rogers’ smart debut filly wins Crystal Slipper Stakes

Red Can Man is set to back up in consecutive Group 1 races, after being among final acceptances yesterday for the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot this Saturday. The four-year-old gelding was terrific in the Group 1 $1 million Railway Stakes (1600m) on Saturday, running a brave fourth for Albany trainer Steve Wolfe and jockey Shaun McGruddy. After enjoying the run of the race just behind the leaders, McGruddy peeled around the heels and into clear running at the top of the straight. Red Can Man loomed up at the top of straight and had his chance, fighting on strongly to run fourth in his maiden Group 1 start, beaten two lengths by Inspirational Girl. Wolfe said he would butter up the star Albany galloper this week but he would not contest next month’s Group 1 Kingston Town Classic over 1800m. “He was only beaten a head for second and it was the fastest-run Railway in 40 years, so he ran a great race,” Wolfe said. “He was always nominated for the Winterbottom and it’s not an over-the-top race so we will take a punt. “He is no guarantee to start but we will see how he pulls up. “He seems to be in good condition and he doesn’t run a bad race, so we will have a crack.” Red Can Man has been allocated 58.5kg for the $1m million Winterbottom Stakes with McGruddy aboard. McGruddy said he thought Red Can Man was a big chance of winning at the top of the straight on Saturday. “He put himself in the box seat and had the run of the race and at the top of the straight I thought ‘how good is this’,” he said. “I think he is a prep away from being a Group 1 horse and I think eventually you will see him on the east coast where there is more options for him.” Heavenly Waters kick-started Albany’s wonderful start to the Masters carnival. After a strong trial victory in Albany, trainer Roy Rogers entered the two-year-old for the $100,000 Crystal Slipper Stakes (1100m). Jockey Lucy Warwick settled the filly outside the leader and they hit the lead inside the final 250m, booting clear to win by just under a length on debut. Rogers said he was quietly confident about the chances of his $9000 purchase. “It wasn’t too surprising she won and it is very exciting and proves you can prepare two-year-olds down here in Albany,” he said. “It was great to fly the flag for Albany on such a big day. “She will have a month off then we will place her in two-year-old races around Christmas and January and February then the Magic Millions and Karrakatta.” Rogers’ Luke’s Gold and Wolfe’s Lordhelpmerun ran 11th and 12th respectively in the listed $100,000 Carbine Club Stakes (1400m).