An International Group 1 victory has again eluded local champion sprinter Rocket Man when Hong Kong visitor Green Birdie took out the $1 million KrisFlyer International Sprint over 1200m on Sunday.
The local champion was brave with his second placing behind the Hong Kong galloper but that elusive win at International Group 1 level still awaits.
Rocket Man has the imposing record of 12 starts for nine wins and three seconds, all of which have come at International Group 1 level.
Green Birdie, ridden by Mark Du Plessis, scored by a neck over Rocket Man (Robbie Fradd) with Happy Zero (Darren Beadman) two-and-a-half lengths away third.
Green Birdie, who is raced by Hong Kong owner Roger Li Ka Chun, clocked the time of 1 min 09.62 secs.
While defeated Rocket Man didn't disappoint his legion of fans, while connections blamed the rain that fell on the track, downgrading it to a yielding 5.2, for the gelding's defeat.
Fradd had Rocket Man quickly out of the barriers to be sitting on the outside of the leader Gold Trail (Michael Rodd) with Mexican Rose (Saimee Jumaat) and Green Birdie next in line.
As the field turned for home, Fradd elected to head off the fence in search of better going whereas Gold Trail stuck hard to the inside, kicking clear.
A gap appeared for Green Birdie to race through. Gold Trail stuck bravely to his task and only wilted over the last 100m while Rocket Man and Green Birdie settled down for the struggle to the line.
In the end it was Green Birdie who prevailed over a valiant Rocket Man while Happy Zero rattled home out wide for a brave third over a trip that is nowadays possibly just a shade short.
Fradd said he held concerns that the track was not draining as well as it might.
"I had my concerns before the race," said Fradd. "The grass had been left a little longer than it is normally and because of that the track wasn't draining as well as it normally does.
"He was having trouble getting a good grip on the track and because of that he didn't have his usual kick.
"It is disappointing but he was brave and tried his heart out."
Trainer Pat Shaw was deflated with the loss but said that on the day the better horse prevailed.
"The ground was a little heavier than he has normally raced on and he just couldn't give a kick on that track," said Shaw.
"He had never seen anything that heavy and with the screw in his leg he just wasn't comfortable.
"He gave his all and really I cannot be disappointed. It is a pity the rain came when it did."
The most dejected was owner Fred Crabbia who cut a lonely figure standing by the rail waiting for Fradd to return.
"I feel gutted to be beaten again," said Crabbia. "But what can you do.
"He was beaten by the better horse on the day. He was brave again, but who knows what the result would have been had the track been firmer."
While Rocket Man was brave in defeat, nothing could be taken away from Green Birdie who provided Mark Du Plessis, who rode with distinction here in Singapore from 2003 to 2006.
"It's my biggest win," said Du Plessis. "I won the Singapore Gold Cup here a couple of times but this race is an International Group 1.
"I only got the ride when Brett (Prebble) couldn't ride him and I hope now that I might be able to stay with him, but that will be a decision to be made by the owners."
He added that to win the race for Caspar Fownes was a special moment for him as the trainer had been inspirational in lending a helping hand.
"To win for Caspar is such a great feeling," said Du Plessis. "He has been a great support for me in Hong Kong and to repay him in this way is just fantastic.
"He usually gets back, but I rode him where he was comfortable. He travelled that good and he gave a good kick.
"Before coming up from Melbourne he had shown form on wet ground, so the ground wasn't really a concern for me.
"He handled it really well."
Trainer Caspar Fownes could not contain his delight in landing an International Group 1 sprint and at the same time defeat the horse recognised by many as possibly the best sprinter in the world.
"I'm very excited! To come all the way here and beat the best sprinters in the world - wow!" said Fownes.
"I'm very happy for Mark and the connections as well. It's a big win for all of us.
"The horse has always had some hoof problems but at his last race, he ran with a normal shoe, and everything's been coming along since.
"Look, on paper we had to respect Rocket Man, but my horse was very well. My staff has done a wonderful job with him.
"He's been knocking off his food and had settled very well. The rain was a bit of a concern but he's handled it very well in the end."
John Moore was ruing a bad barrier draw that certainly did not help third-placed Happy Zero's chances.
"I think a good draw is a good factor here," said Moore. "Last year Sacred Kingdom won from one and this one has done it again.
"He had no luck as he drew wide and that made things harder for us, especially as I always knew the 1200m would be a bit short for him.
"But he still ran a lovely race. I think the six furlongs at Ascot will suit him down to the ground."
Australian trainer Gary Portelli was really stoked with the fourth placing of Gold Trail who held on bravely after leading to well into the straight.
"At the 300m, it felt like a dream, but I was always worried about the 1200m being too long for him, especially on a soft track and at such a level," said Portelli.
"I think after the rain fell, the ground on the inside was not the best part to be in, but he drew two and was inevitably going to be up there somewhere.
"He's done us really proud. You have to be in it to win it and we're glad we came all the way to try our luck.
"I think the 1000m of the King's Stand (at Royal Ascot) will definitely suit him better."
Pat Shaw on Rocket Man
Fred Crabbia owner of Rocket Man
KRISFLYER INTERNATIONAL SPRINT JOCKEY QUOTES
Mark du Plessis – Green Birdie (1st)
“This is a great thrill, and it’s my first international victory. To be truthful, I was a little worried about the ground, but Caspar (Fownes) said he’d handled these conditions in Australia, and he was right.”
Robbie Fradd – Rocket Man (2nd)
“He couldn’t get going on this ground, and couldn’t show his normal kick tonight. The grass was a little longer than normal, and that didn’t help.”
Darren Beadman – Happy Zero (3rd)
“It wasn’t the ground that beat him, it was the gate.”
Michael Rodd – Gold Trail (4th)
“He’s run outstandingly. He was good from the gates, but then seemed lost, changing legs. It was only when Rocket Man moved up outside him that he started to travel better, he kicked well enough, but the last 50 metres just found him out.”
Damien Oliver – Eagle Falls (5th)
“Couldn’t quite get traction on this ground. He was OK when I was holding him together, but the wheels were spinning when I asked him to quicken.”
Brett Doyle – Joy And Fun (6th)
“He couldn’t act on this ground. He missed the break, because his back legs spun, and he was never really going. He needs fast ground.”
Franck Blondel – Mariol (7th)
“It was a good run but unfortunately he tore up his frog (hoof undersole) in the running just before the home turn when he clipped heels behind the winner. I think that cost him a place.”
Saimee Jumaat – Mexican Rose (8th)
“The track was not a problem for her. She jumped well but they’re of a different class.”
Vlad Duric – Ntini (9th)
“Ran a bit better than I thought he would. He was getting home, but it’s just a different ball game at this level.”
Danny Beasley - Cheyenne Dancer (10th)
“No excuses. Just a bit beyond him at 1200 metres against this class of horse.”
