Black Caviar vs Rocket Man…the race the world has waited for

This will be a race for the ages – Australia’s unbeaten champion Black Caviar versus Singapore superstar Rocket Man down the famous Flemington straight course in November.

The odds are shortening that the two champions will finally clash to settle once and for all who really is the world’s best sprinter.

Rocket Man’s trainer Patrick Shaw hinted he was keen to bring his superstar Down Under after his runaway win in the KrisFlyer International Sprint last weekend.

And Shaw has such boundless confidence in Rocket Man, he has boldly, and provocatively, declared his horse will bring to an end Black Caviar’s unbeaten winning streak.

“He’s the best horse in the world. I’m not just saying it because it’s Rocket Man, I mean it,” Shaw said.

“He’ll beat her. I’ve always thought he was clearly the better horse.”

Victoria Racing Club officials were in Singapore for Rocket Man’s big win and made a beeline for Shaw after the race to try and lure him to Melbourne for the Group I $1 million Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 5.

As the winner of an international leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, Rocket Man is eligible for a $600,000 bonus if he can win the Patinack Farm Classic. Shaw said he was keen to travel to Melbourne as soon as possible to inspect the Werribee quarantine and training facilities where Rocket Man will be stabled if he does come here during the spring carnival.

Before plans for Australia are finalised, Rocket Man is scheduled to go to England to run in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting on June 18.

Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody will get a good line on Rocket Man’s ability after confirming his top three-year-old Hinchinbrook is a definite starter at Royal Ascot.

Hinchinbrook confirmed a trip to England with an easy barrier trial win at Cranbourne on Monday.

Moody said Hinchinbrook was due to fly out on June 1, accompanied by the Danny O’Brien trained, Star Witness.

“I haven’t spoken to the owners but he went nice enough this morning and I didn’t see anything to say he wouldn’t go,” Moody said.

Hinchinbrook is being aimed at the Golden Jubilee Stakes and July Cup in England.

Rocket Man v Black Caviar

Rocket Man

Viscount-Macrosa

Trainer: Patrick Shaw

Jockey: Felix Coetzee

20 starts: 16 wins, four seconds

* Prizemoney: $4,286,589

Black Caviar

Bel Esprit-Helsinge

Trainer: Peter Moody

Jockey: Luke Nolen

13 starts: 13 wins

Prizemoney: $3,391750

Buford Balony says: Black Caviar in a canter.

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