Take two for Express Pass at Moonee Valley

Nick Ryan is looking forward to take two with Express Pass at Moonee Valley.

The gelding was down to run at Moonee Valley on August 12, but instead will kick off his campaign in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) on Saturday.

A bout of cellulitis forced the sprinter’s withdrawal two weeks ago, much to Ryan’s disappointment.

“He got a bit of cellulitis, so that’s why we scratched him,” Ryan said.

“He had an old cut, and something must have got in there. It just blew up and he was very lame, so we had to give him a course of anti-biotics and after a few easy days, he came good.

“He was in a benchmark 100 which would have been nice, and the way the track was playing that day, he would have gone close and obviously the Carlyon on Saturday is going to be a little bit stronger.”

Express Pass has only had one start in the last 14 months.

He was put away after one run last spring, before a set-back when preparing for an autumn campaign again saw Ryan send the sprinter to the paddock.

“He’s coming off a long break, but he’s come back as well as ever,” Ryan said.

“He looked super at The Valley on Tuesday morning, and he’s had the three jump-outs.

“He’s got to kick off somewhere, so we’ll kick him off on Saturday, but I think he’s in for a good prep.”

Ryan has not mapped out a definitive program for the now seven-year-old, a winner of six races from his 25 starts and $530,000 in prize money.

He said there was plenty of races during the Spring Carnival to suit Express Pass.

“He’s a seven-year-old now. He’s won a Listed race, he’s won a Chatauqua, and he’s gone around in a Manikato Stakes before,” Ryan said.

“He’s a probably a Listed, Group 3 horse, so if we can place him right, he’s still got plenty to give.”

Express Pass will be ridden by Luke Currie on Saturday before he returns to Hong Kong on Sunday to prepare for the upcoming season that kicks off next month.