Rocket Star might have been off the scene for a while, but the smart sprinter-miler underlined his current sparkling form with a dashing barrier trial win at Kranji on Thursday morning.
Trainer Ricardo Le Grange's highest-rated horse on 97 points was sidelined after he was sensationally scratched from the Singapore Derby on race eve last July due to traces of blood in his trachea. Eight months earlier, the son of Star Witness bled from both nostrils at a barrier trial.
Le Grange was glad and relieved the chestnut came out of Thursday's hitout without another relapse, especially as he had asked Manoel Nunes to turn it up in the home straight. The four-time winner came out for a quieter spin at a first barrier trial two weeks earlier.
"He had an easy first trial two weeks ago. Manoel couldn't ride him and it was Danny (Beasley) who helped me out," said the South African trainer.
"His comeback race is the Class 2 race over 1200m next Saturday (February 19), so I did tell Manoel to give him a bit of a squeeze in the last furlong or so this time.
"He trialled really well and Manoel was really happy with today's trial. He's ready for the start of his campaign for the season.
"Manoel will be the pilot at his first-up race, but we'll take it race by race, not just in terms of which jockey will ride him, but for his future races as well.
"We have to scope him to make sure he's fine, and if all goes well, the Kranji Mile is on his radar."
The $1 million Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) on May 21 will be the first feature race to be run this year.
Last year's winner Minister (A'Isisuhairi Kasim) was also in Rocket Star 's barrier trial, sticking on nicely for second place just ahead of Mr Malek (Simon Kok Wei Hoong), but a fair gap away from Rocket Star.
Both were unable to muster a response to Rocket Star's brisk turn of foot when Nunes peeled the Filipino-owned (Paolo Mendoza) gelding across the heels of Lim's Dream (Danny Beasley) and Ablest Ascend (track rider Ibahim Mamat) at the 200m.
Ridden out to the line, Rocket Star went on to score by four lengths for a robust display that spoke volumes about his fitness levels despite the long time off.
Nunes, who will be at his first partnership on Rocket Star, sounded thrilled at the prospect.
"That was a very nice trial. It's my first time riding him in a trial but I did gallop him two weeks ago," said the Brazilian ace.
"Ricardo told me to let him open up today as he races next week. He did it very easily."
