Racing Victoria’s recruiter Leigh Jordon leaves for Asia on Sunday to try to attract horses to the Melbourne spring carnival.
Jordon will speak with leading trainers and owners in Japan before heading to Singapore for the international race meeting at Kranji on Sunday week.
While in Singapore, Jordon will be out to attract sprint sensation Rocket Man who is a commanding favourite to win the KrisFlyer after finishing second twice to Hong Kong horses Sacred Kingdom and Green Birdie who will both chase a second title.
“I’ve already had discussions with Rocket Man’s trainer Patrick Shaw about travelling to Australia to compete in the Patinack Farm Stakes (1200m) on Emirates Stakes Day at Flemington and I will again after the race on Sunday week,” Jordon said.
“Patrick hasn’t ruled out a start in the race, which is a leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, and I’ll be encouraging him to come to Melbourne for what would be an amazing showdown with Black Caviar.”
In Japan, Jordon will target the first four horses home in the Group One Spring Tenno Sho (3200m) run earlier this month – Hiruno d’Armour, Eishin Flash, Numara Crescent and Makani Bisty – for the Melbourne Cup.
“Japanese distance horses are still considered to be the best in the world and with the door reopened for travel to Australia last year we are keen to again build upon Japanese interest in our premier racing carnival,” Jordon said.
Tokai Trick, 12th in last year’s Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, was the first Japanese horse to contest those races since Delta Blues and Pop Rock who ran one-two in the 2006 Melbourne Cup.
Jordon is also interested in Pelusa, who ran second in last year’s Autumn Tenno Sho, Japan Cup winner Rose Kingdom and multiple Group race winner To The Glory, for the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
AAP TURF
