Trainer Gerald Ryan is thrilled with the condition Red Excitement has taken from his first-up run four weeks ago, and is confident the talented gelding is primed for a competitive performance in Saturday’s featured Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Red Excitement has been a strong and consistent performer since first appearing on course in 2011; posting an impressive ten wins and six minors through only thirty competitive appearances.

Jumping from the gates well in the Group 3 Guvera Stakes (1400m) on Derby Day, Red Excitement was allowed to stride forward by jockey Sam Clipperton and settled within the talented field of 14; receiving a good run on unideal ground before his sprint in the final straight was stifled by a line of runners.

Conceding the conditions of Flemington on Derby Day would have never allowed for a strong first-up result for the Excites gelding, Ryan told Racing Ahead he is pleased with the six-year-old’s condition and is confident he will be up to the task in the 2015 Festival Stakes.

“He came through his first-up run really well,” Ryan said.

“The wet track put him out of play and I thought he ran really well considering how the track was, until the 200m mark when he got tightened up and ran out of room.

“He went to the line then basically uncontested and should have finished four spots closer I suppose, but he came out of it really well.

“He was supposed to run here over 1350m a few weeks ago but I scratched him because of the heavy track but he trialled well at Warwick Farm last Thursday.

“Whatever he does on Saturday he’ll improve, but he’s still going good enough and is fit enough to be competitive.”

Red Excitement was the star for Ryan’s stables over the 2013/14 summer; failing to finish outside the first three in five starts including three consecutive race wins.

Kept to a light 2014 campaign, Red Excitement returned for consecutive wins this year including the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) on January 17^th.

Red Excitement has been confirmed to be partnered by leading hoop Brenton Avdulla and will leave from the ideal barrier 5 in the 2015 Festival Stakes.

Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2015 Festival Stakes odds, for which Red Excitement can be taken at a quote of $12 for success.

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