Ain’t No Other Man was given the run of the race on opening day at Ascot and that made all the difference when apprentice Brayden Gaerth slipped him some leather in the Westspeed Platinum Hcp (1100m).

The Gingerbread Man gelding also appreciated a drop in class tracking front-runners Cocktail Party (A Lot) and Norich (Demerit) on Saturday and he had the race won after coming off their heels at the top of the straight.

Ain’t No Other Man (6g Gingerbread Man – There’snonesosassy by Due Sasso) had been thereabouts in a half-dozen outings during the winter season at Belmont and the return to Ascot saw him rekindle the form that saw him win twice as a 2yo at Headquarters.

“He was a touch slow away but settled nicely and it panned out perfectly,” Gaerth explained.  “I was confident a long way out and he dawdled once we got the front.”

Ain’t No Other Man shouldered the steadier of 61kg less a 2kg claim and the win sent his earnings to $454,000 including Westspeed Bonuses of $127,000 for owner-breeder Wally Daly who has been a great supporter of Gingerbread Man.

“He’s been up for a while and has been knocking on the door,” stable rep Bonnie Palise said while standing in for co-trainers Sean & Jake Casey.  “He’s an easygoing horse and it was a good ride by Brayden.  This was going to be one of his last runs this prep but we will see how he pulls up because he loves the short straight at Ascot.”

Yarradale Stud resident Gingerbread Man sired him from There’snonesosassy who was a Broome specialist and she’s a perfect five-from-five at stud for Daly and the Caseys.  Her 3yo Gingerbread Man filly Nonesospicy won a Belmont barrier trial last month and is racing first-up in the Country Wide Maiden (1100m) at Northam on Thursday.

There’snonesosassy is direct descendant of Miss Holborn (Holborn) who probably has more stakes winners under her name than any other broodmare in WA.  Among them is Yarradale homebred filly Born Priceless (Pricelessly) who won the G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) in 2001.

The last of her six winners was Born Spicy (Gingerbread Man) and Yarradale manager Davy Hanratty reports her first foal is a beautiful Playing God filly that arrived on Saturday night.

Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) is standing for a $5,500 (inc GST) service fee at Yarradale this season and Davy Hanratty can be contacted for bookings or further details on (08) 9574 6490 or 0429 326 904.