Singapore champion sprinter Rocket Man makes it third time lucky
After running two seconds for two consecutive years, Singapore champion sprinter Rocket Man finally went one better in the $1 million Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint over 1200m at Kranji on Sunday.
The revenge was even sweeter as his two victors Sacred Kingdom (2009) and Green Birdie (2010) were this time comprehensively beaten by Patrick Shaw’s Viscount five-year-old.
The win recorded in 1min 9.14secs also handed Rocket Man his second International Group 1 success, two months after making history by becoming the first Singapore-based horse to achieve such a feat with a dominant win in the US$2 million Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Golden Shaheen (1200m) at Meydan in Dubai.
But despite the Dubai delight, the home crowd had deep down been holding out for the one that mattered the most – the KrisFlyer, which incidentally constituted the third Leg of the Global Sprint Challenge for the first time at this year’s renewal – on their own turf.
And how Rocket Man realised their dreams with an even more crushing victory than in the Golden Shaheen.
The fastest out of the gates, Rocket Man with his international partner Felix Coetzee up, bolted out of his ninth gate to be a length in front. But Better Be The One (Danny Beasley) and Perfect Pins (Saimee Jumaat) railed through on the inside to keep Rocket Man three wide for a while.
But as the speed battle eased off, Better Be The One emerged in front with Perfect Pins tucking in behind while Rocket Man elected to sit second outside Better Be The One.
Coetzee bided his time until the home turn when he popped the question to the champ, who responded brilliantly with that burst of speed that has demoralised many opponents. As Rocket Man put two lengths on the rest, all eyes were cast behind on any potential party poopers who could deny him that joy for the third time.
Of the two Hong Kong raiders, Sacred Kingdom looked to be travelling better as he was set alight by Glen Boss on the outside while Green Birdie (Brett Prebble) seemed to be battling away at the back. Among the locals, Better Be The One, widely tagged as Singapore potential bridesmaid to Rocket Man was knocking up while Perfect Pins was still in the hunt.
But it did not really matter in the end when Coetzee switched on the rocket booster. Rocket Man let down with a withering burst to put a space on the rest and put the issue quickly beyond doubt a long way from home – leaving the chasing pack to battle for the minors.
From the ruck, Eclair Fastpass (Jose Verenzuela) ran on the best to claim second, 4 ¾-length away, with a head to third-placed Perfect Pins for a Singapore trifecta in a race the hosting country had not even won before.
But the cheers were for only one horse – crowd pleaser Rocket Man who returned to the winner’s circle to a standing ovation from his adoring fans. Shaw and Crabbia were the first in line and needless to say, emotions ran high as their hero filed into No 1 stall instead of No 2 he stood at in the last two editions.
“He’s done us proud again and this time he’s won the one that has proved elusive for so long,” said Shaw.
“I was never really concerned when he was caught three wide early on. I know he can sit anywhere and just switch off.
“He was always travelling well and I had no doubt he would be hard to beat once he straightened up. This is an amazing victory, for Fred, for us, for Singapore.
“This is probably his biggest win in Singapore, but like I said before, his win in this year’s Lion City Cup was also sensational.”
The champagne had barely popped that talks of Rocket Man, whose stakes money have now exceeded the $5.2 million mark, have inevitably surfaced, more so when a mouth-watering duel with Australia’s unbeaten mare and world’s highest rated racehorse Black Caviar had been fuelling debates in racing circles around the world.
“He’s obviously older and getting stronger. I’ll see how he pulls up but there are a few options overseas we are already considering,” said Shaw.
“His well-being comes first. I’ll speak to Barend (Vorster) and Felix (Coetzee) and decide from there what the options will be.
“The July Cup at Newmarket is one, Japan and Australia further down the road. I’m going to England to have a look and I can stay at Mike de Kock’s yard at Newmarket.
“I’ve also been invited to go and inspect the quarantine facilities in Australia in Melbourne in two weeks.
“They can bring her (Black Caviar) wherever they want. We’re happy to take her on. Tell them that.
“I’ve been waiting to go to Australia to take her on for a while. I’ve seen her and she is a great mare but Rocket Man is better than she is.”
Coetzee, who knows a thing or two about riding famous champion sprinters having been Hong Kong legend Silent Witness’ partner, was simply blown away by Rocket Man’s easy victory but remained as humble as ever.
“I feel so privileged to be the jockey of such a champion. I am very grateful to Pat, Fred, Jacci and Ricardo for the amazing work they have done with this horse,” said the South African veteran jockey.
“I would also like to thank Barend (Vorster) who rides him all the time here (Singapore). I am very grateful to him too.
“This win means a lot to everyone at home. It’s huge and he has a big following everywhere he runs, but this win in Singapore is probably a touch special.
“He jumped very nice and was straightaway in front but right then, they started pushing on the inside.
“That is a game plan Pat and myself has been playing out many times before the race. I discussed with Pat and viewed many videos and I told myself I should not panic early on as the horse knows his pace.
“He did change his legs but that’s when he kicks into gear and picked up very nicely. I didn’t know how far behind the rest was as I was focused on my horse alone.”
Nobody was as proud and over the moon as his owner, Fred Crabbia, who despite the flurry of accolades earned with clearly the best horse he has ever owned, was choking with emotion about that one win in the KrisFlyer.
“This is my proudest moment in racing,” said Crabbia. “I thought the Dubai race was the best night of my life, but this is 20 times better.
“To all the people who have had anything to do with this horse I must thank you. To Pat and all the staff in the stable, this is a huge thrill.
“I was a bit concerned early when they challenged him early, but Felix knows him so well. He just had to wait for the straight and I knew the horse had the firepower to beat the others off.
“The horse proved himself a cut above the rest. He’s a superstar.”
If there was another person who was just as excited as Crabbia, but who is not at all connected with Rocket Man, it had to be Singaporean trainer Desmond Koh, who prepares Eclair Fastpass.
“I’m just so proud of me. I’m probably the second happiest man on Earth now,” said Koh.
“My horse was in the best form of his life and I was expecting a good run but to run second to one of the best horses in the world is just amazing.
“Come to think of it, Rocket Man was in one race and we were in the other – and we won that race.
“The only thing is he may get punished for that second place to Rocket Man in a Group 1 race. I’ll have to discuss with the owners what is the next move for him.”
Rocket Man, a five-year-old gelding by Viscount out of the Mr McGinty mare Macrosa, has now scored 16 wins, four seconds from 20 starts – all run over 1200m. He retuned $6 for a win.
