Prospects of The Tin Man becoming another Group race-winning sprinter to hail from the yard of James Fanshawe moved a significant step closer after he made a winning return yesterday evening in the Weatherbys Private Bank Leisure Stakes at Windsor.
While the four-year-old still has a way to go to match the exploits of his high-class half-brother Deacon Blues, the son of Equiano showed he is heading in the right direction when enhancing his progressive profile in the Listed feature in Berkshire.
The Tin Man was not ready to take his place in the Duke Of York Stakes earlier this month, but did himself justice on his first start since finishing fourth in the British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October with a stylish two-length win over Watchable in the hands of Tom Queally.
Following the race Fanshawe's charge was cut from 10-1 to 7-1 for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot by Paddy Power.
"It's really good to get that first run under his belt. He will come on for that. It's been quite hard to get him right as he had a few little niggles," said the trainer.
"He improved so quickly last year and he ran a very good race in the Champions Sprint at Ascot.
"We always felt he broke too well at Ascot and today we wanted to drop him in and relax, but that is not always easy at Windsor.
"We have ridden him for his turn of foot and when he (Queally) pushed him he quickened up really well.
"He has got some big entries and he will get better with age, but we will just box clever with him.
"We will just see how he is after this race. We would obviously love to run him at Ascot (Diamond Jubilee), but he doesn't want the ground rock hard."