Singapore’s champion sprinter Rocket Man was back in action at Thursday morning’s barrier trials and he did not let his army of supporters down.
Although trainer Patrick Shaw was not on hand to witness the 1000m hitout, jockey Barend Vorster gave a glowing report on the gelding which turns five on Sunday.
Rocket Man, having his first serious hitout since his second placing to Green Birdie in the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint over 1200m on May 16, led throughout under a good hold from Vorster who has been riding the gelding this preparation.
Although challenged by Northern Lion (Joao Moreira) in the straight, Rocket Man scored by two lengths with Tumbulgum (Danny Beasley) three-and-three-quarter lengths away third in a slick 59.82 secs.
Rocket Man has been back in work around seven weeks and Vorster said Thursday morning’s trial was his first serious piece of work this time in.
“He had not even been going three-quarter pace before today,” said Vorster. “He had only been going half-pace.
“This was his first serious piece of work and he was getting a little bit tired towards the end of it.
“He was blowing quite heavily coming back.”
Vorster said it felt a little strange riding the gelding in something competitive, even though he had ridden him to success earlier in his career.
“It feels quite strange riding him,” said Vorster. “You just don’t realise how easily he is doing everything and then you see the time he has run.
“You don’t think he is running anywhere near that time. You always expect him to pick-up as he’s travelling that well.
“He had his ears pricked the whole way and it was a really nice trial but I’m expecting him to improve quite a bit from this.”
Shaw has indicated that Rocket Man was likely to have a run towards the end of August before heading off to Japan to contest the Group 1 Sprinters Stakes over 1200m on October 3.
“I’m expecting he will have another trial before he races and I would say that is likely to be in two weeks time,” said Vorster.
Rocket Man, a son of Viscount, has raced on 12 occasions for nine wins and three second placings, collecting more than $1.4 million in prizemoney but connections are desperately seeking recognition for the sprinter with that elusive victory at International Group 1 level.