It was an emotional day to say the least at Kranji today.
The curtain came down on not only the 2016 racing year, but officially bid farewell to Singapore’s Greatest ever, in Rocket Man. He paraded between races 6 and 7 and in his honour, Race 7 was named the “Rocket Man Farewell Stakes”. Some of our high class sprinters lined up and what a race it was indeed.

Super Winner was first-up for 84 days after a disappointment in Korea and had trialled well in his build up for his final race of 2016. However, Pat Shaw had a two-pronged attack in the form of Royal Ruler and The General.

As it turned out, the latter was the right one. After The General (Nooresh Juglall) jumped fairly well, he was happy to track Sebas (Gerald Mosse) in the running and pounced at the top of the straight. It was a textbook ride by the young rider, who will head to Hong Kong on the 5th of December for a short riding stint during the season break in Singapore.

Also, it was the perfect send-off for Rocket Man that Shaw saddled the winner of the race named in his honour and emotions were running high on course.

Shaw and his wife Wendy were in the winner’s enclosure to welcome back The General who made it his sixth career victory from 24 career outings in Singapore, and took his earnings to over the $400,000 mark with this win.
Shaw was emotional and full of praise for the Mauritian-born rider, and wished him well on his short trip to Hong Kong.

Shaw also took out the penultimate race on Sunday with his final runner of the season and potentially his final runner as a trainer in Singapore. Elusive Emperor saluted in the $60,000 Class 4 Division 1 race over 1200m under one of the strongest rides of the year by Barend Vorster.
It was a fitting send-off for Shaw, his family and the whole team behind Shaw’s stable. The most memorable part of this race was of jockey Vorster looking up to the Grandstand area where Shaw was at and blew him a kiss, which for many, was the moment of 2016. 

An elated and emotional Vorster returned to the winner’s enclosure and one can understand the emotion, as Shaw had convinced him to make the move to Singapore many years ago and it has paid off handsomely for not only the Vorsters, but all concerned with the yard.

Congratulations on a phenomenal training career Pat. I speak on behalf of everyone who has had the pleasure of dealing and working with you in Singapore, when I say we will miss you here. I wish you well, and please make sure to come and see us as often as you can. We will welcome you back with open arms! 

Gareth Pepper