3 minute read
After catching the eye on debut the Ricardo Le Grange trained Rocket Star took a good step forward, when dominant winning at his second outing.
Kicking off his career over 1000m, Rocket Star was only narrowly edged out when surging late behind the unbeaten Big Hearted.
His last 200m was very impressive and he clearly relished the step up to 1100m at his next start.
Ridden by Callan Murray, Rocket Star did have to be ridden along early, but held his position just off the speed.
Travelling well inside the 600m, Rocket Star peeled to the outside and looked to have plenty to offer.
Pushed five-wide into the straight, he again took a while to balance up, but once he did, it was game over, hitting the front inside the 200m.
Only hit with the whip twice, Rocket Star quickly put a gap on them, eased down to score by 2.8L.
Second placegetter Admiral Winston stuck on well, but was clearly no match.
In what looked a strong 2YO event on paper, Rocket Star just toyed with them and with 6.1L back to third, it should prove a good piece of form — more notably the clocked backed up the sizable beaten margins.
While only able to compare to three Class 5 races on the night, when adjusted for race standards, he has gone very very well.
On debut he ran a Timeform rating of 71 and improved to run 84 last start with a hint of more to come.
He has put up easily the best performance of any 2YO this season and is clearly the horse to beat on Sunday and with all going well, the Group 2 Golden Horseshoe (July 19).
Last year Lim's Lightning ran a figure of 83 when winning the feature and hence Rocket Star is already well and truly in the ballpark.
The last box he is yet to tick is switching to the turf track, however being by Star Witness there is no reason to think he won't be as effective on the course proper on Sunday.
The way he closed off his race over 1100m he should be even better at 1200m and is a very exciting prospect.
Be sure to tune in to Race 4 at Singapore on Sunday, we could be witnessing a very smart horse.
The Mark Walker trained Admiral Winston finished second behind the former last start and has to be respected despite the wide draw.
In two starts, he has been very good and with Duric linking aboard for the first time he is sure to make his presence felt.
Of the debutants the Cliff Brown trained Inferno has to be respected with Rodd booked for the son of Holy Roman Emperor.
His sole trial in the lead up was rock solid and he should be strong late.
Beer Garden is also expected to measure up on debut for the Dragon/Powell combination.
Good luck and happy punting.
