Rocket Man sent an ominious warning to his likely rivals in the KrisFlyer Sprint with a stunning five length win in the S$500,000 Group One Lion City Cup (1200m) at Kranji tonight.
Despite being eased downed dramatically toward the end of the race, Rocket Man still stopped the clock in a blistering 1 minute 8.85 seconds.
Everyone expected Rocket Man, coming off his historic win in the Group One Golden Shaheen in Dubai, to win his third straight Lion City Cup – but it was the ease of the win that again stunned racegoers.
Allowed to lead from the inside barrier by now regular Singapore rider Barend Vorster, Rocket Man was able to run the race to his liking – controlling the hot speed and kicking clear after straightening.
Second favourite Better Be The One, coming off a narrow defeat at the hands of JJ The Jet Plane in the Al Quoz Sprint, tried to stick with Rocket Man – but he was no match for the Singapore sensation.
The final margin of five lengths could have been more, Vorster easing the son of Viscount down as he prepared to pose for the winning photos.
Winning trainer Patrick Shaw was virtually lost for words when speaking shortly after the hollow victory.
“What else can I add?”
“He is just an absolute champion and a real showman and he did it ever so easily again today,” Shaw added.
“It was a nice gallop and my instruction to Barend before the race was to just ride him like he was in a trial.”
“We’ll see how he pulls up and it’s then on to his main goal, the KrisFlyer in three weeks time.”
Shaw didn’t think they would be much improvement to come from Rocket Man – adding if he went any faster he would live up to his name and literally “take off.”
Winning rider Barend Vorster said being able to be associated with such a champion horse was a great privilege.
“My job today was just to try and pace him and let him do what he does best in the end,” Vorster reported.
“When the other horse came up around me, I was never worried. I just eased him up a little but he was never out of second gear.”
“In the home straight, he just left them. Easy run. Easy win.”
“I would say he has come back even better after Dubai. It’s however difficult to say if he could get any better but he is absolutely spot on for the KrisFlyer.”
Rocket Man was selected and purchased as a yearling for $60,000 from the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
He was offered for sale by Tyreel Thoroughbred Stud and purchased by Andy Williams’ World Wide Bloodstock and is raced by South African based businessman Fred Crabbia.
The star five-year-old has won 14 of his 18 starts (he was second at other four – beaten no more than a long neck) and earned the equivalent of A$4,388,576.
Rocket Man is one of two international Group One winners produced by his stakes winning dam Macrosa. The other is Our Giant.
Winner: Rocket Man (Viscount-Macrosa)
Race: Singapore TC Lion City Cup G1 (1200m)
Sold for: A$60,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Tyreel Thoroughbred Stud
Buyer: World Wide Bloodstock
Earnings: A$4,388,576
Owner(s): Fred Crabbia
Trainer: Patrick Shaw (Kranji)
