Rocket Man returns this morning!

Return of Singapore sprint star Rocket Man

Preview: Singapore, Sunday 11.05am SA time

Kranji 6f, AW

SINGAPORE sprint star Rocket Man (Patrick Shaw/Robbie Fradd) makes his long-awaited return after injury on Sunday ahead of a crack at the Dubai Golden Shaheen on World Cup night, March 27.

The four-year-old, winner of his first seven starts, is set to return in a 6f event on the Polytrack at Kranji.

Rocket Man hasn't run since losing his unbeaten record when a fine second to three-time world champion Sacred Kingdom in the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint over 6f in May last year.

He drew barrier six in an eight-horse field for his comeback, where jockey Robbie Fradd makes his return from suspension.

"He's still up in weight and he had a good blow after his work on Tuesday," said trainer Patrick Shaw, speaking to the Singapore Turf Club.

"We had him x-rayed following the work and he's been given the all-clear to race.

"He's a bit like a boxer. You can do all the work in the ring, but it is not like getting into the fight. He needs some racing now to bring him to his top."

Rocket Man, who has been back in work since mid-November, was sidelined with a condylar fracture of the off-side cannonbone which was subsequently operated on with screws inserted.

Rocket Man's immediate goal is the Golden Shaheen over 6f on the Tapeta track in Dubai on World Cup night.

"Naturally the Dubai race is our focus but we'll wait and see how he comes through Sunday's race first," said Shaw.

"There is a race in Dubai on March 4 that could be a possibility for him, but I would prefer to keep him here for as longas possible, especially if he has to travel over on his own.

"There is the possibility of him having another race here, or we'll just give him another couple of trials before we go to Dubai."

Pop Princess & Rocket Man?...double

Rocket Man good winner, I am sure if Elton John was riding he would still have won!

Smashed them... no race, well done to Patrick and the connections

SINGAPORE - Trainer Patrick Shaw breathed a huge sigh of relief when Rocket Man made a triumphant return to racing over 1200m on Sunday.

Singapore’s champion sprinter was making his long-awaited return to racing after fracturing a cannon bone in June.


Ridden by regular jockey Robbie Fradd, Rocket Man was untroubled to score by 4.50 lengths over Switchblade with Perfect Sky 0.50 lengths away in third.


Shaw had been a bundle of nerves in the lead-up to Sunday’s race and was a happy man when his champion came through the race unscathed. ``Thank goodness for sedatives,’’ he joked. ``It has been a nerve-wracking week I am glad it is all over with now.’’


Shaw said he would wait and see how Rocket Man comes through the race before deciding on whether to send Rocket Man to Dubai for the Golden Shaheen over 1200m on the all-weather at Meydan on 27 March.


Rocket Man has now won eight of his nine starts for South African owner Fred Crabbia, with his only defeat coming at the hands of Sacred Kingdom in last year’s KrisFlyer Sprint. - Singapore Turf Club.

Well done to all the SA connections

KrisFlyer for superstar sprinter Rocket Man

Singapore: A pair of world-class sprinters who may have Royal Ascot on their agenda later this year have been turning heads in Singapore as they are prepared for Sunday's KrisFlyer International Sprint.

The $1 million event over 6f is the main supporting event on the Singapore International Airlines Cup card at Kranji - and both races will be shown live on ATR in Britain.

Singapore's superstar sprinter Rocket Man, second to world champion Sacred Kingdom in last year's KrisFlyer, is likely to start favourite in Sunday's Group 1 event ahead of a cosmopolitan field also featuring Hong Kong's Joy And Fun, who won the Al Quoz Sprint on the Dubai World Cup card.

Both horses hold engagements at Royal Ascot, alongside Sunday's rivals, Happy Zero (from Hong Kong) and the Australian-trained Gold Trail.

Rocket Man, runner-up to Kinsale King in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, was reportedly in sizzling form in a workout on the Polytrack on Tuesday.

The four-year-old clocked 35.40secs for thefinal 600 metres of his work, the fastest time of the day.

"I was happy with his work this morning," said trainer Patrick Shaw, speaking to the Singapore Turf Club. "He went well and I'm happy with his condition."

Trainer Derek Cruz reported Joy And Fun in good shape since his arrival on Saturday morning.

"He has settled in nicely," said Cruz. "He's moving all right in his work and he's very well - he's a happy horse.

"He's totally relaxed and enjoying the time on his own," added Cruz. "Nothing seems to bother him. He's a good traveller and I'm so happy with how he has settled in."

The Luca Cumani-trained Presvis isBritain's contender in the main event, the $3m SIA Cup.

He faces Dubai World Cup one-two Gloria De Campeao and Lizard's Desire, plus shock Dubai Duty Free winner Al Shemali, the mount of Royston Ffrench in the 1m2f turf race.

Cumani's assistant Charlie Henson is forecasting nothing strenuous in workout terms for Presvis, whose usual charge to the line was to little avail last time out when he finished fifth in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin.

"He's already done his final gallop at Sha Tin last Saturday," said Henson. "We will give him a canter tomorrow and just keep him ticking over until raceday. I'm very happy with the way he has trained."