News

Aussie Sprinters Still On Top Of The World

18th May 2009

Racing And Sports - Aushorse Release - Monday, 18 May 2009

Sacred Kingdom reclaimed his sprinting crown and Rocket Man proved he was truly World class as Australian-bred sprinters ran 1-2 in a star-studded KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore overnight.

Sacred Kingdom (Encosta De Lago-Courtroom Sweetie, by Zeditave) was rated the World's best sprinter in 2007 and early 2008, but had taken time to rediscover that form this year after a lengthy layoff.

He returned to winning form in the G2 Sprint Cup last start and the Ricky Yiu trained sprinter, who was ridden by HK-based Australian jockey Brett Prebble, improved again to run down Rocket Man and smash the Kranji 1200m track record – becoming the first horse to run sub 1:8.0 with a blistering 1:7.8 gallop.

Sacred Kingdom was sold through the Kornong Stud Farm draft at the 2005 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale for $200,000. Last night's win – his 12th in 18 starts – lifted his earnings beyond the $A4million mark.

His sire Encosta De Lago, a resident of Coolmore Australia, is Australia's reigning Champion Sire and is on target to defend that crown again this season. The son of Fairy King will stand at a fee of $220,000 this year.

The runner-up Rocket Man (Viscount-Macrosa, by McGinty) lost no admirers with his brave second. While Sacred Kingdom jumped from the inside barrier, Rocket Man worked early from barrier nine and made the Hong Kong star work all the way to the line.

A $60,000 graduate of the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale (which begins this month on the Gold Coast), the three-year-old proved last night he is a genuinely world class speedster.

Sacred Kingdom and Rocket Kingdom dominated the rest of the field, with a big gap to third placed Diabolical.

The KrisFlyer result continues the dominance of Australian-bred sprinters on the world stage.

Takeover Target – who couldn't produce his 2008 heroics last night – has won in Japan, Singapore and England, while Choisir and Miss Andretti were also successful at Royal Ascot.

Additionally, every single winner of the G1 Hong Kong International Sprint to date has been Australian-bred.

“There is now a very clear understanding about where Australian sprinters sit in the world pecking order,” Aushorse Chairman Antony Thompson said from Singapore.

“There was a real buzz in Singapore this week and all of the talk centred around the Australian-bred sprinters. We already knew how good Sacred Kingdom is and it was great to see Rocket Man step up to the next level and prove his world class credentials as well, despite giving away age and experience to his rivals.

“The Australian-bred horse is renowned for being blindingly fast, precocious and as tough as nails. This race, run in record time and featuring an epic battle, underlined all of those qualities.”

Later, dual Group 1 winner Pompeii Ruler (Genuine-West With Night, by Pompeii Court) ran fourth in the S$3M Singapore Airlines International Cup.

The Mick Price trained six-year-old, who failed to reach his modest $10,000 reserve as a yearling, has overcome several injury setbacks during his career and again ran bravely for connections in this 2000m contest.

Aushorse Marketing hosted a special function at Kranji yesterday, promoting the qualities of the Australian horse and the feats in both the Sprint and Cup reinforced the message.

“The event was very well attended and supported by local owners, trainers and various representatives from the racing and breeding industry in Australia,” Aushorse Marketing Manager Jo McKinnon said.

“It was a great opportunity to bring everyone together to focus on the positive attributes of the Australian thoroughbred and its dominance in Singapore.”

• Aushorse Release