ROCKET MAN won this a year ago and has proved himself the outstanding sprinter in Singapore for many years. Like last year he arrives having landed the same prep race at Kranji and will be very difficult to beat though he faces serious challengers this time, especially from Sepoy. A regular Grade 1 winner in Australia and the winner of 10 from 12 starts, he has never raced on an artificial surface but has been here for a few weeks preparing and is certain to give the champion something to think about. Lucky Nine rarely races away from Sha Tin where he's a regular winner at the highest level. He's very closely matched with Joy And Fun on recent form so a big run from that rival in the previous race will be a pointer. The Factor arrives from the USA having landed Grade 1 and 2 events on the Dirt at Santa Anita but another American challenger, Giant Ryan, failed miserably in the Breeders' Cup after winning at the highest level at Belmont. Kieren Fallon has been brilliant on board Krypton Factor at the Carnival but this competition is much classier.
Rocket Man (AUS) (9-5) Made all, ridden and asserted over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, easily, won at Kranji(SNG) 6f stk, 7 ran.
Happy Dubai (IRE) (9-0) Midfield, ridden over 2f out, ran on strongly final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Collect Art (9-0) at Dohar(QA) 6f Grp 3 gd in Feb.
Giant Ryan (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Bumped, rushed, 8th of 9 Amazombie (9-0) at Churchill Downs(USA) 6f 3yo stks (1) in Nov.
Russian Rock (IRE) 11-4 (8-11) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, comfortably, won at Jebel Ali(UAE) 5f 3yo Listed stks (1) beating Fityaan (8-11) by 2l, 10 ran.
Krypton Factor 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Meydan(UAE) 6f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) beating Hitchens (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Hitchens (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Held up in midfield, ridden over 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Krypton Factor (9-5) at Meydan(UAE) 6f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
The Factor (USA) 7-10fav (8-11) Drifted in 1/8,held, won at Santa Anita(USA) 7f Arab Race in Feb beating Sway Away (8-6) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Iver Bridge Lad 6-1 (9-5) Never a factor, 8th of 13, 7l behind Krypton Factor (9-5) at Meydan(UAE) 6f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
Sepoy (AUS) (9-2) Disputed lead, ridden to take lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 5th of 17, 1/2l behind Woorim (8-10) at Caulfield(AUS) 5f Grp 1 hcp gd in Feb.
Inxile (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 15, 2 1/4l behind Invincible Ash (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 5f cond Stakes std.
Soul (AUS) 4-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, smooth headway 3f out, led 1f out, comfortably, won at Meydan(UAE) 6f hcp gd beating Invincible Ash (8-9) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Lucky Nine (IRE) (9-0) Prominent, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, won at Sha Tin(HK) 7f stk gd beating Glorious Days (9-0) by hd, 11 ran.
