Rocket Man won’t be a $1 million Patinack Farm Classic entry after trainer Patrick Shaw decided the Singapore sprinter would have to spend too much time in quarantine.
Shaw told Racing Victoria international recruiter Leigh Jordon that Rocket Man would have to spend a month in quarantine before racing in Australia, meaning he would have to spend 60 days away from Singapore.
It was hoped the 1200m Group One feature at Flemington on November 5 would be the first clash of Rocket Man and Black Caviar.
But Shaw and Rocket Man’s owner Fred Crabbia have opted to head to Japan for the Sprinters Stakes on October 2 and the Hong Kong International Sprint in December.
Shaw would have loved to campaign the son of Viscount in his country of birth, but thinks the Japan and Hong Kong options suit the five-year-old better.
“As we all know, he has a huge following in Australia and it’s a pity he won’t be running in Australia,” Shaw said.
“A lot has been said about the match-race with Black Caviar, but to be honest, it’s not all about the mare.
“He’s Australian-bred and it would have meant the world to me to just take him back to his country of birth to compete against the best there.”
Rocket Man can arrive in Japan 10 days before the race and return to Singapore straight after the Sprinters Stakes.
He would then try to avenge his narrow second placing to JJ The Jet Plane in last year’s Hong Kong International Sprint.
That was one of just four defeats for Rocket Man, who hasn’t finished further back than second in 20 starts and counts the Golden Shaheen and KrisFlyer International Sprint as his biggest wins.
AAP TURF
