Kranji roared last night as Singapore’s highest ever rated galloper Rocket Man made a scintillating return to the track after a serious leg injury.

The crowd favourite, racing for the first since his gallant second in the KrisFlyer International to Sacred Kingdom, treated his rivals with contempt, racing away to win by four and a half lengths.

And the margin could only have been bigger. He was sluggish out of the barriers and eased right down over the final furlong by regular rider Robbie Fradd.

“Thank goodness for sedatives,” a relieved trainer Patrick Shaw said with a laugh after the win. “It has been a nerve wrecking week waiting for this race to come about.”

“I am glad it is all over with now,” he added.

Winning rider Robbie Fradd was delighted with how his star mount felt during the race and quickened up in the straight after a tardy getaway.

“He didn’t jump well at all,” Fradd commented. “There were a couple playing up a bit and they caught his attention.”

“But he recovered quickly from that and he raced in his usual fashion.”

“Everything felt really good with him. His action felt fine and he really put in when I asked him.”

Fradd is bullish about Rocket Man’s prospects with his coming big race features in mind.

“I’m really looking forward to having a rematch with Brett (Prebble) and Sacred Kingdom in the KrisFlyer.”

“I’ve told Brett he won’t beat me again.”

Connections are aiming Rocket Man at the Group One Golden Shaheen in Dubai on World Cup night next month.

He would then return to Singapore for the KrisFlyer International Sprint in May.

A $60,000 purchase for Andy Williams’ World Wide Bloodstock at the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Rocket Man has turned into a great money spinner for his South African based owner Fred Crabbia.

As it stands the son of Viscount’s record reads out at eight wins and a second placing from nine runs and has earned an imposing S$956,923.