Red Can Man locked into owner-breeder Neil Irvine’s slot for $4m The Quokka at Ascot
![Red Can Man is the latest runner confirmed for The Quokka.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-10158916/53ed9e49d3f74bd2920bdc547809f3792a2d5acf-16x9-x0y790w3456h1944.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Red Can Man is the latest confirmed starter in the $4 million The Quokka (1200m) after owner-breeder Neil Irvine locked in the quality sprinter as his replacement for Triple Missile.
Irvine’s hopes to run his Victorian-based sprinter Triple Missile in WA’s richest race were dashed when a bone chip had to be removed from one of his front legs last month.
Irvine, who owns a slot under his Rapid Equine Racing and Breeding banner, was thrilled to strike a deal with connections of Red Can Man.
The Steve Wolfe-trained gelding has won eight races, including the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield in 2021, and $1.15m in prizemoney.
“We were going to bring Triple Missile over but he had to have keyhole surgery,” Irvine said.
![Steve Wolfe pair Beads, Jarrad Noske, outside, and Red Can Man Shaun McGruddy,prior to a solid hit out before the races.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-10158916/6b9a4685097387ad1fcf5540d462771325c219c4.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
“It’s a shame I won’t have my own horse in it, but it’s good to have a quality WA horse like Red Can Man.
“Steve reckons he’s going really well and hopefully my luck is about to change.”
Red Can Man continued his consistent form with a first-up second to Acromantula in the Rock Magic Stakes (1000m).
The son of Gingerbread Man will tackle Saturday’s Group 3 Roma Cup (1100m) before The Quokka a fortnight later.
![Neil Irvine, the managing director and owner of Rapid Crushing. Pictured at Maddington. 17 MAY 2018 Picture: Danella Bevis The West Australian](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-10158916/9b896f251e764c984f16005ce05f955966bcb2b4.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Meanwhile, Australian sprinter The Astrologist will take up an invite to race at Royal Ascot in June after his close second in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) in Dubai on Saturday night.
The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained gelding fell narrowly short for WA hoop Damian Lane, beaten by $51 roughie Danyah.
He will be transferred to UK trainer Marco Botti for the Royal Ascot carnival.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails