Patch Adams was something of a surprise packet in three-year-old races through the recent Spring Carnival and is reportedly in great condition ahead of his competitive return in Saturday’s Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Patch Adams has posted a credible one win and three minors through his eleven career starts so far and immediately stamped himself as one to watch in spring when following up a first-up fourth with success in the Become A Member Of HDRC Maiden (1100m) on August 2^nd.

Continuing to impress through a number of minor Victorian sprints, the Dane Shadow colt made a strong transition to black type racing when fourth in the talent-rich Listed Pin & Win Stakes (1400m) on September 12^th before finishing fourth behind the likes of Badawiya and Tivaci in the Australian Seed & Turf BM64 (1400m) on September 23^rd.

Placing fifth in the Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) on October 2^nd, Patch Adams undoubtedly produced his before effort to date when an agonizingly-close second to Mahuta in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m); returning to the paddock after a luckless run for second in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) on November 14^th.

Co-trainer Karina O’Sullivan told Racing Ahead the team has been thrilled with the work produced by the colt in the lead-up to the Manfred Stakes and believes that regardless off the result, he will take plenty of benefit from the run.

“We certainly think the horse last preparation was fairly consistent and fairly luckless,” O’Sullivan said.

“We’ve got him in a tough enough race I think first-up and it’s 1200m, and we certainly think the horse is going to get further as his preparation goes on.

“We’re really happy with his work – he’s come through the early parts of his preparation really well and he’s filled out a bit too, he’s a bit more mature than he was and we hope he takes that forward step.

“As I said, it’s a very tough race to step out in first-up but on his form and how he’s been galloping he’s a chance at running into the money at good odds.”

Irish rider Declan Bates has been given the ride on Patch Adams in the Manfred Stakes and O’Sullivan is pleased to have the young hoop’s affiliation with the stable extend.

“He had his first ride for us at Mt Gambier when we had a rider change,” O’Sullivan said.

“We ended up with Declan Bates and he won on both our horses. From there he’s gone on a ridden a few for us and was four wins from four starts early doors.

“We’ve found him very good and consistent, he’s very relaxed and doesn’t panic on them and we were all pretty keen to give him a go.”

Charged with overcoming barrier 11, Patch Adams is currently available at Manfred Stakes odds of $51 for success or $12.80 to finish in the first three with leading online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au.