Rocket Man the best in the world?
Understandably there was much excitement over Rocket Man’s superb 4.5 length win in Sunday’s G1 Krisflyer Sprint. The gelding always looked in control and could not have won the $1 million feature race any more impressivly. But does his victory entitle him to the title of the world’s best sprinter?
Rocket Man had been defeated by J J The Jet Plane in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint, which surely means the ratings cannot separate Rocket Man from the now sidelined J J.
Secondly, what exactly did Rocket Man defeat? On paper, his main rivals, Sacred Kingdom (Encosta de Lago), Better Be The One (More Than Ready) and Green Birdie (Catbird), all ran below form. The eventual runner up, Eclair Fastpass (Fastnet Rock),’s biggest career win had been in a G3 handicap where he was getting 5kgs from the runner up, whilst third place finisher, Perfect Pins (Pins),has never won a graded race of any description. Neither Eclair Fastpass or Perfect Pins have been rated on the International Classifications, which suggests that Rocket Man was facing anything but a tough task here.
The most recent International classifications have Rocket Man (Viscount) rated122, eight pounds below the unbeaten Black Caviar (130). And whilst Sunday’s race was visually impressive, it would be difficult to justify an increase in Rocket Man’s international rating on what he actually achieved.
It is worth noting, that South Africa also has a link to Sprint runner up Eclair Fastpass. A son of the outstanding young sire Fastnet Rock, Eclair Fastpass is out of Hanover. The latter is, in turn, out of Tracy’s Element, who was a South African champion. Tracy’s Element, arguably, has had more international influence than any other filly to race in South Africa. Not only is she granddam of Eclair Fastpass and promising young Aussie sire Shaft, she is the dam of Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom), Kylikwong and Red Dazzler. The latter is himself now at stud in Australia.
On a positive note, it was fantastic to see South African trainers clean up at Singapore’s international meeting. It is hard to believe that River Jetez (Jet Master) is now a seven-year-old, but hopefully, her ongoing success will ensure more people keep their top-class fillies in training for a longer period of time.
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Frankel – what a champ
While the unbeaten Frankel (Galileo) hardly needs a boost, his form line is certainly standing up well. On Saturday, Dubawi Gold (Dubawi), who had finished second to Frankel in the G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas ran second to Roderic O’Connor (Galileo) in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Roderic O’Connor had himself finished second to Frankel in last year’s G1 Dewhurst Stakes.
And on Sunday, Excelebration (Exceed And Excel), who had seen Frankel’s backside when a well beaten second to the champ in the G3 Greenham Stakes, came out to win the G2 German 2000 Guineas (Mehl-Mulhens Rennen).
The form of Frankel’s ten length win in last year’s g2 Royal Lodge Stakes has also stood up well, with both runner up Klanmer (G3 Horris Hill S) and third placed finisher Treasure Beach (G3 Chester Vase) subsequently winning pattern races.
At this stage, it is hard to see any of the 3yos being able to topple Frankel over a mile, although a meeting later in the season with the now 13 time G1 winner Goldikova (Anabaa) should be a mouth watering clash.
Frankel’s sire Galileo is also enjoying a truly remarkable season. Of the six Guineas races ran in Britain, France and Ireland, Galileo’s offspring have won four. Three of his Guineas winners, Frankel, Roderic O’Connor and Golden Lilac, are out of mares by Danehill.
Galileo could well have another classic winner, as his filly, Galikova (a half-sister to Goldikova) is likely to clash with Golden Lilac in the Prix de Diane in June, a race which both fillies look likely to prove very competitive.
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SA’s new sire represents powerful male line
Russian Sage
Russian Sage, who is set to stand his first season at the Gary Player Stud Farm, on behalf of the Karoo Breeders Club (KBC), has ties to recent Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom. Both horses are direct descendants of the mighty Blushing Groom, a champion racehorse and a truly outstanding sire. Both horses were raced by Team Valor.
Russian Sage is a son of the Blushing Groom horse Jallad, whilst Animal Kingdom’s sire, Leroidesanimaux is by the Blushing Groom horse Candy Stripes.
Co-stud manager, Rachel Herrington, is impressed by Russian Sage, commentating,” He strongly resembles Jallad, but is a more refined horse with more quality. He has let down very nicely, and people have been impressed with him.”
At the time of writing, Russian Sage has 50 mares booked to him. One of Jallad’s finest sons, Russian Sage won both the G1 Daily News 2000 and G1 Investec Cape Derby, whilst he was also a close second in the G1 Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas.
One of 14 G1 winners sired by Jallad, Russian Sage won six races, including the G2 Selangor Cup. A very versatile sort, he won from 1000m to 2000m.
Out of a Badger Land mare, Russian Sage is a complete outcross to Northern Dancer, Seattle Slew and Mr Prospector line mares. His dam, Sage Blue, won five races and is a half-sister to G1 SA Derby winner Silver Silver (West Man). This is the family of champions Grey Sun (Jamaico) and Cerulean Blue (Jamaico).
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Stud’s run of success
Collingwood Stud has enjoyed a good run of success of late. From just six runners, the stud has been represented by three winners and three placed horses. This is a remarkable strike rate for small stud farm.
The winners include Zhan Hu, the promising son of Eyeofthetiger. Zhan Hu gave his ill fated sire his first winner, and looks a nice type. Other recent winners for Collingwood include Platinum Cat and Boss Cat, both of whom are offspring of the promising sire, and last season’s leading first crop sire, Tiger Ridge.
