Red Can Man ready for G1 test after strong second placing in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes at Ascot

Star Albany sprinter Red Can Man produced a fighting second placing in the Group 2 WAROA Lee Steere Stakes (1400m), capping him off ahead of his maiden Group 1 start in the $1 million Railways Stakes in a fortnight.

Red Can Man jumped second-favourite behind Eastern States galloper Kementari for Albany trainer Steve Wolfe at Ascot on Saturday, and started strongly to land right on speed for jockey Shaun McGruddy.

The Gingerbread Man gelding pulled out three wide to level up with the leaders on straightening and hit the front in the final 200m before he was gunned down in the final 50m by last year’s Group 1 Kingston Town Classic winner Kay Cee, who won by 0.7 lengths.

Wolfe said it was the best performance from Red Can Man this campaign.

“That’s what we were looking for — we buttered him up to try and get a bit of improvement out of him,” Wolfe said.

“We would have liked more pace on and the weight had a factor but she (Kay Cee) is a good mare and our bloke is on track for the Railway.

“We know he’s back and right on track.

“He seems to have pulled up pretty good. He has plenty of time to recover.”

Red Can Man will prepare for his ultimate test in the Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 21.

It is currently third favourite for the feature with TABtouch at $9.

Wolfe started the day on a winning note with three-year-old Alpha And Omega claiming the Crossman Memorial Plate (1100m) by 1.3 lengths.

Starting an outsider in the six-horse field, Alpha And Omega stormed down the outside for McGruddy to claim victory.

Debutant Hear Me Sing ran a promising second to Six Carat after enjoying a great run throughout the 1100m race.

Bragwell finished sixth in the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m) behind Kallaroo.