International sprint sensation ‘Rocket Man’ has been targeted by Racing Victoria for the two Australian legs of the Global Sprint Challenge early next year.
Leigh Jordon, Racing Victoria racing operations manager, has sent details of the Group 1 Lightning and Australia Stakes to the trainer of Rocket Man, Patrick Shaw.
Shaw has displayed a willingness to travel Rocket Man, a winner of 10 of his 13 starts.
Rocket Man finished second in the 1200m Golden Shaheen in Dubai in March and he’s currently in Hong Kong preparing for the Hong Kong Sprint.
Jordon also mentioned that Hong Kong sprinter ‘Little Bridge’, a close third behind dead heat winners Rocket Man and ‘One World’ in the Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Sprint, was another horse of interest.
Little Bridge won his first five starts before finishing a half length second behind Rocket Man and One World.
The Australian legs of the Global Sprint Challenge have failed to attract any serious overseas interest since ‘Cape Of Good Hope’ won the 2005 Australia Stakes and ran third behind ‘Takeover Target’ in the 2006 Lightning Stakes.
Written by Isaac Chaplin
