Patrick Shaw and his star Singapore sprinter Rocket Man have thrown down the challenge to Australia’s world champion Black Caviar, with the trainer declaring his horse “clearly better”.
Rocket Man stormed to a 4-3/4 length victory in the $S1 million ($A759,000) Group One KrisFlyer Sprint (1200m) in Singapore on Sunday night, setting up the tantalising prospect of a contest between the two super horses.
“I’ve been wanting it. We’ll take her on any time,” Shaw said.
“He’ll beat her, I’ve always thought he’s clearly the better horse.”
Shaw will go to Melbourne in the next few weeks to inspect quarantine and training facilities with a view to bringing Rocket Man to Australia to run in the Group One Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington this spring.
For Rocket Man and his connections the victory was reward for defeats in the same race when a hot favourite in the past two years.
He made amends to a large extent with his win in the Group One Golden Shaheen in Dubai in March, but for Shaw and South African owner Fred Crabbia, the KrisFlyer win was the crowning moment of their horse’s career.
Rocket Man, who was bred in Australia, is a son of the classy racehorse Viscount and has won 15 of his 19 starts for prizemoney in excess of $S5 million ($A3.8 million).
But the victory was one for South Africa more than anywhere else.
Both Shaw and Crabbia are from the republic, as is winning jockey Felix Coetzee.
Rocket Man raced wide in the early stages but took control before the home turn and was running away from the field at the post.
In an all-Singapore finish, Eclair Fastpass claimed second, a head in advance of Perfect Pins.
Before Australian plans are finalised, Rocket Man is scheduled to go to England in June where he will run in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting in June.
AAP Turf
