Former West Australian Red Can Man bounced back from a slightly disappointing Victorian debut at Flemington to put a knife in punters when running down the favourite Malkovich in the Group III Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
A dual Listed winner in the west when trained by part-owner Steve Wolfe, Red Can man is now in the David Brideoake stable.
With Ben Melham in the saddle, Red Can Man sat off the speed set by Jamie Kah on Malkovich before inching clear in the final few strides.
The 4yo son of Gingerbread Man defeated Malkovich (Choisir) by a neck with a further one and a quarter length back to Villami (Foxwedge) in third.
Stable representative Matt Jenkins said the return to the good track was a positive.
"We did not know what to take from his first-up run. He had a long time between runs, about seven months, I believe, and it was a softish track," Jenkins said.
"Wolfie and the team sent him over because they believed he was up to this level. He probably wants to get out to a mile, and we will pick off races along the way.
"We are in a bit of an awkward stage at the moment, so it will be up to David and the team in Perth what they want to do, but it is a good problem to have."
Purchased by Commercial Bloodstock Services P/L (FBAA) for $50,000 at the 2017 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Red Can Man advances his record to eight wins, two seconds, and four thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $863,090.
A half-brother to Group II ATC Sapphire Stakes and Group III Birthday Card Stakes winner Quilista, Red Can Man is one of five winners from seven to race out of stakes-placed Brocky's Ace (Surtee). Sold off at the dispersal of Korilya Stud at the 2014 Magic Millions Perth Winter Thoroughbred Sale for $7,000 when in foal to Oratorio (AUS), Brocky's Ace has a weanling colt by War Chant (USA) and was covered by Gingerbread Man last spring.
It has been a good week for Gingerbread Man, whose daughter Chili Is Hot won last week's Listed Belmont Oaks.
The son of Shamardal (USA) stands at Yarradale Stud at a fee of $5,500.
