Singapore star Rocket Man geared up for his next Gulf campaign with a runaway victory at Kranji on Sunday.

Rocket Man (6g Viscount – Macrosa by Mr McGinty) was resuming after being unplaced in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint in December and he set a steady pace in front before drawing clear in the straight.  The time of 1.10.95s for 1200m was well outside his own course record established in 2010.

Rocket Man is being set to defend his G1 Golden Shaheen Stakes crown at Meydan on March 31.  “That was the perfect prep for Dubai,” trainer Pat Shaw said.  “It was a superb effort and I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Jockey Barend Vorster also had every reason to give the thumbs-up ahead of Rocket Man’s departure on March 24.  “He’s still not quite 100%, but he felt good.  We don’t want to get to the bottom of him yet and that race panned out exactly the way we wanted.”

The Australian bred son of Oakland Park sire Viscount has won 19 of his 25 starts for earnings of S$5.95 million.  He was bred by Dean Fleming and sold for $60,000 through the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2007 Magic Millions National yearling sale.

His dam Macrosa has also foaled South African G1 winner Our Giant (Giant’s Causeway).  The mare has an unraced 2yo colt named My Brother (Shamardal) and she foaled a Librettist filly last year.