Man Crush returns for a winter campaign on Saturday and trainer Luke Fernie expects a big performance from the five-year-old in the Listed Bolton Sprint (1200m) at Bunbury.
Man Crush struck an early blow at the beginning of the year when he won the Listed Miss Andretti Stakes (1100m) first up at Ascot, the start of an effective campaign.
Man Crush then ran second to Twain’s Angel in the Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) and occupied the same placing when a narrow runner-up to Snowdome in the Pinjarra Classic (1300m).
The Manhattan Rain gelding, who last raced in the Bunbury Stakes (1400m) in March, is looking to go one better in the Bolton Sprint after finishing second to Boots Like Bruce a year ago.
Man Crush warmed up for his return in a Belmont trial last week, running fourth to stablemate Otheronesone in a 1000m heat without being fully tested by jockey Chris Parnham.
Fernie is happy enough to bring Man Crush back to the races and says with the addition of blinkers the seven-time winner will be fully switched on for his return.
“He’ll improve with a set of shades on as well,” Fernie said to Racing WA.
“I’d imagine he will sharpen up a hell of a lot with them on.
“He just cruised through that trial the other day and was looked after.
“He had a little bit of a blow but should be good to go.”
While Man Crush is set to launch another campaign and build to $1 million in prizemoney, Wild Belle has run her final race and will be retired to the breeding barn.
The Pride Of Dubai mare won five races from 14 starts, the Listed Miss Andretti Stakes (1200m) and Rock Magic Stakes (1000m) career peaks 12-months back.
Fernie called time on Wild Belle’s racing career after she finished 10th of 12 to Repossession in last fortnight’s Beaufine Stakes (1000m).
“She’s had enough of racing,” Fernie said.
“She will be retired now as a broodmare and will be a beautiful mum.
“She’s happy and healthy and after that last run, I was looking for every excuse to pinpoint to something.
“She’s going to the paddock a happy horse and for the journey she has taken us on that’s all you can ask.”
Meanwhile Fernie says it’s a patient approach with Slip The Jab after he was scratched from a 1000m Bunbury race last week, taken out brilliantly by unbeaten, Twisted Steel.
Fernie has a high regard for Slip The Jab, who has dazzled in two trials and had excuses at his only race start when a distant last behind Strideaway on debut at Ascot in February.
“He is a pretty good horse,” Fernie said.
“There’s a race this week, but that will be determined if he is to go there, pending on track conditions.
“I feel he’s a really nice horse and I don’t need to put him in an uncomfortable position to get him back to the races.
“He didn’t have everything go right at his first prep when he went shin sore, so I don’t want to send him there for a second time and something go wrong again with him.”
Julio Santarelli