Racehorse TALK

Time he got his own post.

Rocket heading our way
Tim Habel From: Monday, 26 April 2010

SINGAPORE's star sprinter, Rocket Man, is a likely spring visitor with the $500,000 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley his target.


Trainer Patrick Shaw yesterday confirmed the Melbourne spring was on his agenda, along with the Sprinters Stakes in Japan in October after he runs in the KrisFlyer Sprint (1200m) in Singapore on May 16.

"I'd love to race in Australia. He's bred there and has a big following there," Shaw said.

"The race that appeals is the Manikato. It's got the same turn and short straight as here."

The Patinack Classic on the final day of Melbourne Cup week is another possible race.

Australian-bred Rocket Man,, by Viscount, is one of the world's best sprinters and would be a significant spring drawcard.

He won his first seven starts before being beaten by another Australian-bred sprint star, Sacred Kingdom, in the KrisFlyer Sprint last year.

After surgery for a fractured off fore cannon bone, Rocket Man ran second in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night. He won the Lion City Cup on his home track at Kranji on Saturday.

"He's pulled up well. He's put on 15kg since Dubai," Shaw said.

Rocket Man is a Royal Ascot nomination in June, but has Shaw ruled that out.

" He'll spell after the KrisFlyer," he said.

Meanwhile, Racing Victoria's international scout Leigh Jordon leaves for Japan tomorrow for an update on quarantine regulations and a look at possible Caulfield and Melbourne Cups runners in Sunday's Group 1 Tenno Sho (3200m) at Kyoto.

Jordon will inspect quarantine facilities at Nakayama and Tokyo.

Racing Victoria is still waiting for Japanese and Australian officials to iron out quarantine issues that will determine whether there are Japan runners in the Cups.

Jordon said Luca Cumani's Presvis, who ran fifth in Sunday's Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin was a possible Cox Plate runner depending on how he runs in the Singapore Cup on May 16.

Dubai World Cup winner, French-trained Gloria De Campeao and runner-up Mike De Koch's Lizard's Desire are likely Cox Plate nominations.