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The racetrack rumour mill was swirling last week with news that Rocket Man was going to be a contender in the Group 3 $200,000 Merlion Trophy over 1200m on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
But those rumours were just that and Singapore's champion sprinter was not among the nominations for Sunday's race.
Instead the six-year-old had a barrier trial over 1000m on Tuesday morning in preparation for the Group 1 US$2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen over 1200m at Meydan on March 31.
Rocket Man and stablemate Ato – who is running in the Group 1 US$1 million Al Quoz Sprint over 1000m on the same night – leave for Dubai on March 24.
Following Tuesday's trial trainer Patrick Shaw said Rocket Man would trial again next week before he leaves for Dubai.
“I'm not quite sure yet which day he'll trial,” Shaw said.
“I'll just weigh it all up and see what fits in best with his program.”
Rocket Man went about his work in Tuesday's trial in impressive fashion scoring by five lengths from Arapuni (Joao Moreira) with Fountain (Greg Cheyne) four-and-a-half lengths back in third place.
The Singapore flyer stopped the clock at 59.04 secs, the fastest of the morning.
“I couldn't be happier,” Shaw said.
“All is on track for Dubai.”
Rocket Man will have a change of rider in Dubai with Felix Coetzee being reunited with the gelding in the Golden Shaheen.
Coetzee won the Golden Shaheen aboard Rocket Man in Dubai last year, his first International Group 1 success, before losing the ride to Barend Vorster after Rocket Man's fourth placing in the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes in Japan last October.
Shaw explained Vorster had done nothing wrong aboard Rocket Man.
“Felix rode Rocket Man in Dubai last year and got the title and we feel that it is best that he be given the chance to defend the title again,” Shaw said.
“Barend has done nothing wrong at all on the horse. He'll still go to Dubai and will ride Ato in the other race.”
Shaw will be represented by Ato (Vorster) and Jamal Malik (Cheyne) in the Merlion Trophy.
The pair ran second and third respectively behind Better Than Ever in a 1000m barrier trial on Tuesday morning.
Ato finished a neck astern of the Laurie Laxon-trained galloper in 59.35 secs while Jamal Malik was a further four-and-a-quarter lengths further back.
“The plan is to run Ato on the weekend and use it as a pointer to the big race in Dubai,” Shaw said.
“He is going nicely and I thought his trial was quite nice.”
Jamal Malik will be lining up for the first time in a race in Singapore at less than 1400m.
A winner over Better Than Ever at 1400m in the Group 2 Stewards' Cup last June, Jamal Malik has always trialled well on the Polytrack surface.
“I've always wanted to try him over 1200m on the Polytrack,” Shaw said.
“He's nice and fresh for this race so now is the time to try him.”
Meanwhile Rocket Man's two-year-old half-brother by Shamardal has arrived in Singapore and is currently in quarantine.
“He arrived here on Sunday and I went and had a look at him on Monday,” Shaw said.
“He looks a lot like Rocket Man. Very similar in colouring with a similar head and they both have some of the same characteristics.
“Let's hope he can run just the same.”