Champion sprinter Rocket Man proved he’s right on target for Dubai with a runaway victory in the RDA Cup at Kranji on Sunday.  He won by more than five lengths over Capablanca (Scenic) and Noble Manor (Stravinsky).

Jockey Barend Vorster had Rocket Man travelling sweetly before releasing the breaks to quickly put the issue beyond doubt.  Trainer Patrick Shaw said it was now all systems go for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan on March 26.

“I told Barend to try and tuck in behind the lead early in the race and then let him open up in the straight,” Shaw said.  “It was important to try and get him to settle.  He did it beautifully and now we’re looking forward to Dubai.”

Vorster said Rocket Man felt superb in running.  “He was nice and relaxed and I just let him go through his paces.  I gave him a good hit-out in the straight to keep his mind on the job instead of having a look around.”

Rocket Man (5g Viscount – Macrosa by Mr McGinty) is unbeaten in 12 starts in Singapore for owner Fred Crabbia.  His only defeats have come in four off-shore Group 1 events by a combined total of 1.2 lengths!

On his last trip away, the Australian bred star was beaten in a head-bobbing finish by J J The Jet Plane in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint in December.

Rocket Man is by former Woodlands sire Viscount who is based at Neville Duncan’s Oaklands Park in WA.  He was bred by Dean Fleming and sold for $60,000 through the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2007 Magic Millions National yearling sale.

He is a half-brother to South African based galloper Our Giant (Giant’s Causeway) who has won at the elite level in the Mercury Sprint at Clairwood and the Horse Chestnut Stakes at Turffontein.  Their dam Macrosa is a half-sister to G1 AJC Australian Derby winner Ebony Grosve (Grosvenor).

Rocket Man’s connections are keen to exact revenge in this year’s G1 Golden Shaheen.  He was the victim of pilot error when runner-up to Kinsale King in the US$2 million event 12 months ago.