Star Magic Millions sprinters Rocket Man and One World made history in Hong Kong today when they dead heated in Sunday’s HK$3 million Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin.
Singapore based Rocket Man and local star One World shared the prize and showed they were on track for the Hong Kong International Sprint on December 12.
The pair both came off a hot speed set by Dim Sum and just as Rocket Man had burst through on the inside of race favourite Sacred Kingdom it was One World who was charging down the outside of the track.
The judge couldn’t split Rocket Man and One World and a dead heat result was a popular one.
The performance of Rocket Man – racing in the clockwise direction for the first time – impressed good judges from around the globe.
Trainer Patrick Shaw said he had plenty of anxious moments during the race, when it appeared his champion wasn’t totally happy in his first Hong Kong contest.
“I was a little bit concerned when he was a bit green going into the first turn,” Shaw reported.
“And he wasn’t running as freely as he usually does. He was switching leads and pricking his ears.”
Shaw said he came to the races hoping for success – knowing his representative was a world class performer.
“We didn’t expect it to be a walkover,” Shaw said. “But I’m always confident when this horse runs.”
“I don’t think I can get him any fitter than he is now, but I do think we can do some work in the next few weeks to get him used to the right hand turn.”
Rocket Man’s South African based owner Fred Crabbia was as proud as punch in the winner’s enclosure – proud of his charge.
“That was absolutely fantastic,” Crabbia said. “I flew in last night and I’m just overwhelmed with the racecourse and the welcome we’ve had as well as by the way Rocket Man performed.”
“Yes, he’s the best horse I’ve ever had,” he summed up.
Rocket Man, a son of WA based sire Viscount, was purchased by renowned South African bloodstock agent and Magic Millions South African representative Andy Williams.
The gelding was a $60,000 buy from the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
Darren Beadman who rode the other dead-heater One World was delighted with the performance – suggesting the star sprinter was getting back to his best form.
“It’s just in the last week and a half that he’s begun to come back to his old self,” Beadman noted.
“And that run showed he’s just about there. I didn’t know whether he’d won or not because we were so far apart.”
The John Moore trained One World will be out to go one better in the International Sprint next month after his unlucky second placing last year.
One World, a son of Danehill Dancer, was purchased by connections for $150,000 at the 2006 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Having been one of the toughest and most consistent sprinters in Hong Kong for a number of seasons, One World has earned the equivalent of $1.78 million.
One World is a half brother to the Group Two winning Lee Freedman trained sprinter First Command.
An outstanding half brother to One World and First Command by champion Coolmore Stud stallion Encosta de Lago will be one of the headline lots from Baramul Stud at January’s 2011 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Winner: Rocket Man (Viscount-Macrosa)
Race: HKJC Jockey Club Sprint G2 (1200m)
Sold for: $60,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Tyreel Thoroughbred Stud
Buyer: World Wide Bloodstock
Earnings: $1,829,143
Owner(s): Fred Crabbia
Trainer: Patrick Shaw (Kranji)
Winner: One World (Danehill Dancer-River Serenade)
Race: HKJC Jockey Club Sprint G2 (1200m)
Sold for: $150,000
Sale: 2006 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Baramul Stud
Buyer: Surefire Ltd
Earnings: $1,781,720
Owner(s): Jackson So Hoi Wing
Trainer: John Moore (Hong Kong)
