Racing: Sprinter to contest Manikato

Star Singapore sprinter Rocket Man is a likely spring visitor to Melbourne with the A$500,000 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley his target.

Trainer Patrick Shaw confirmed the Melbourne spring was on his agenda, as is the Sprinters Stakes in Japan in October after he runs in the KrisFlyer Sprint (1200m) in Singapore on May 16.

"I'd love to race in Australia. He's bred there and has a big following there," Shaw told the Herald-Sun.

"The race that appeals is the Manikato. It's got the same turn and short straight as here."

The Patinack Classic on the final day of Melbourne Cup Week is another possible race.

Australian-bred Rocket Man, by Viscount, is one of the world's best sprinters and would be a significant spring drawcard.

He won his first seven starts before being beaten by another Australian-bred sprint star, Sacred Kingdom, in the KrisFlyer Sprint last year.

After surgery for a fractured off-fore cannon bone, Rocket Man ran second in the group one Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night. He won the Lion City Cup on his home track at Kranji on Saturday.

"He's pulled up well. He's put on 15kg since Dubai," Shaw said.

Rocket Man is a Royal Ascot nomination, but Shaw has ruled that out.

Meanwhile, Racing Victoria's international scout Leigh Jordon leaves for Japan today for an update on quarantine regulations and a look at possible Caulfield and Melbourne Cups runners in Sunday's group one Tenno Sho (3200m) at Kyoto.

Jordon will inspect quarantine facilities at Nakayama and Tokyo.

Racing Victoria is still waiting for Japanese and Australian officials to iron out quarantine issues that will determine whether there are Japan runners in the Cups.

Luca Cumani's Presvis, who ran fifth in Sunday's Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin was a possible Cox Plate runner depending on how he runs in the Singapore Cup on May 16.

Dubai World Cup winner, French-trained Gloria De Campeao and runner-up Mike De Koch's Lizard's Desire are likely Cox nominations.