DUBAI GETS A ROCKET

Congratulations to Dean Fleming, brother of Eliza Park principal Lee, whose home-bred Rocket Man took out the $US2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan on Saturday (26 March).
Greg Irvine takes up the story …
The best horse ever to race in Singapore, Rocket Man sat on the outside of American speedstar Euroears throughout, before unleashing a paralysing burst of speed over the final 200m to race clear for a 2.25 length win.
The win helped erase memories of last year’s Golden Shaheen when the star Viscount gelding was narrowly and unluckily beaten.
This time around nothing was going to stop the mighty Rocket Man from confirming his status as one of the world’s best.
Rocket Man was selected and purchased as a yearling for $60,000 from the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
He was offered for sale by Tyreel Thoroughbred Stud and purchased by Andy Williams’ World Wide Bloodstock.
Rocket Man is raced by South African based businessman Fred Crabbia and trained by master horseman Patrick Shaw.
“I was confident all week because I have never had him better,” Shaw said.
“Winning on an international stage like Dubai is very special. I don’t know where we go next with Rocket Man.”
“Royal Ascot want him in the summer. But so do the Australians to take on Black Caviar - so we’ll see,” Shaw added.
Champion international jockey Felix Coetzee has ridden many great racehorses over the years and he couldn’t speak more highly of Rocket Man.
“I got a great start and I took him back to give Euroears the lead and tracked him,” Coetzee commented.
“I saw Mike Smith go for his horse and when I picked up Rocket Man he responded. He is so gutsy.”
“It was a great feeling - like being in a top sports car - he was flying!”
“This is the most tenacious horse I’ve ever ridden. He’s a super horse.”
Magic Millions Acting Managing Director David Chester said the win of Rocket Man was a great result for Australia.
“Over recent seasons Rocket Man has proved himself as one of the world’s great racehorses - and he’s doing it on the tough international circuit.”
A half brother to the South African Group One winner Our Giant, Rocket Man has won 14 races from 18 starts - he was second at other four and has never been beaten further than a long neck.
The $60,000 purchase has now won the equivalent of A$3.76 million.