Rocket Man sets course record in Kranji Sprint

SINGAPORE,  27 Mar 2009
 
ROCKET MAN is hardly extended in his Kranji Sprint victory
- SNTC photo

Taking advantage of a postage stamp on his back, ROCKET MAN rewrote the 1200m (short course) record when he captured the $200,000 Group 3 Kranji Sprint at Kranji here tonight.

It was, however, the manner he annihilated the opposition that had everyone in awe.

Kept in check by jockey Robbie Fradd early, ROCKET MAN (Viscount - Macrosa by Mr McGinty) shot ahead at the home bend and cruised to the line four and a half lengths ahead of his nearest rival to clock 1:8.6, shaving 0.2 second off the previous mark set by none other than Australia's multiple Group 1 winner TAKEOVER TARGET in the KrisFlyer International Sprint last year.

The handicap condition of the race saw another two bottom weights RICHEST GIFT (Magic Of Money - Comely Show by Land Speed Record) and JOLIE'S SHINJU (Jolie's Halo - Endearing Quality by Danzig) filling the minor placings.

ROCKET MAN is among the 20 Singapore horses nominated for the KrisFlyer International Sprint this year where he will probably come face to face with TAKEOVER TARGET.

But his next big test will be the $500,000 Group 1 Lion City Cup next month which is a weight-for-age contest. For now, it's a perfect six wins in six starts for the three-year-old sensation.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 CLASS 5 - 1200M

9

 Geronimo D Hill M Airy

1

8

 Rising Shadow C Brown S H Low

2

6

 Samurai Power C Brown H K Cheng

3

13

 Giro M Yusof S John

4

2

 RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1400M

7

 Cash Hunter H K Tan Au

1

1

 Winning Heart B Dean D Beasley

2

2

 Let's Go L Laxon Saimee

3

9

 Jade Wonder K C Yeoh Razali

4

3

 CLASS 4 - 1600M

8

 Rossini Prince J Meagher D Beasley

1

5

 Rena Cross M Clements B Vorster

2

1

 General Conspiracy S Burridge Din Azis

3

6

 Sun Village Baertschiger J Powell

4

4

 INITIATION - 1200M

7

 Flaming Bolt M Freedman R Fradd

1

1

 Fighting Spirit Baertschiger J Powell

2

11

 Viva Panata D Koh Woodworth

3

2

 Double Fianchetto K C Yeoh Saimee

4

5

 CLASS 3 - 1200M

9

 Perfect Sky D Koh Woodworth

1

4

 So Majestic C Brown J Powell

2

10

 Invader S Burridge J Moreira

3

12

 Howgoodisthat B Dean P Knuckey

4

6

 CLASS 5 - 1400M

7

 Karapiro L Laxon Saimee

1

3

 Fashion Thunder M Clements R Fradd

2

1

 Recycle Triumph S Gray P Knuckey

3

14

 Lim's Glory J Meagher S John

4

7

 KRANJI SPRINT (SINGAPORE GROUP 3) - 1200M

9

 Rocket Man P Shaw R Fradd

1

11

 Richest Gift P Shaw B Vorster

2

10

 Jolie's Shinju H Takaoka Sivan

3

3

 Fantastic Owners B Dean M Gallagher

4

8

 BENCHMARK 83 - 1400M

4

 Superb J Meagher D Beasley

1

6

 Quiero Bailar P Shaw B Vorster

2

9

 Superczar D Hill M Gallagher

3

8

 Noble Manor L Laxon Saimee

4

9

 CLASS 4 - 1200M

2

 Perfect Match B Dean D Beasley

1

1

 Lucky Wish D Hill B Vorster

2

5

 Nadal P Shaw R Fradd

3

10

 Splitsville D Koh Woodworth

4