Champion Singapore sprinter Rocket Man won't have his much-anticipated showdown with Black Caviar in the Patinack Farm Classic after his trainer, Patrick Shaw, decided he would have to spend too much time in quarantine.
Racing Victoria international recruiter Leigh Jordon told the Herald Sun that Shaw was going to come out to look at local quarantine facilities next week, but had since told them he wasn't going to as he had reluctantly decided not to come.
Shaw said that as Rocket Man would have to spend a month in quarantine before racing in Australia it would mean he would end up spending 60 days away from Singapore.
"He would have to go straight to Hong Kong from Melbourne, meaning he would have to be outstationed for his preparation towards the Hong Kong Sprint."
But while Flemington has lost one international drawcard it is likely to gain another - Hong Kong star 3-year-old Bear Hero, is a likely starter in the Coolmore Classic. Jordon said David Ferraris, the trainer of Bear Hero, was keen to come to Melbourne.
