Rocket Man set up a repeat bid in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse on Dubai World Cup night March 26 with a fluid success in Singapore yesterday.
The six-year-old gelding scored a five-and-three-quarter length victory under Barend Vorster in the RDA Cup over 1,200m on Polytrack at Kranji in a time of 1min 10.70secs.
Trained by Patrick Shaw, it was the 12th consecutive domestic victory for Rocket Man, who has 13 wins from 17 career starts.
"It was important to try to get him to settle," Shaw said. "He did it beautifully and we know now he is spot on and are looking forward to Dubai."
Rocket Man finished second in the Golden Shaheen last year, behind Kinsale King. It was his first race outside Singapore but with two good runs in Hong Kong at the end of last season, confidence is high for a second raid on the US$2million (Dh7.346m) sprint.
"He just felt superb in himself today," Vorster said. "I had goose bumps when I got on him as he was bouncing around but he eventually switched off and was nice and relaxed.
"Everything is 100 per cent with him. His weight is spot on so all we can do now is touch wood and keep our fingers crossed."
