“Hyperion” (Robert Bishop) is in Singapore for Sunday’s two big races, the Singapore Airlines International Cup (Group 1 over 2,000 metres) and the KrisFlyer International Sprint (Group 1 over 1,200 metres).

This follows on from Friday’s Singapore Guineas (Group 1 over 1,600 metres), where Better Than Ever stamped himself as a new superstar on the World stage.

In the KrisFlyer International Sprint, Hyperion expects Rocket Man to avenge last year’s second placing in this race when he was beaten by Sacred Kingdom. Rocket Man has won nine of his eleven races. His other defeat was the half a length victory by Kinsale King in the 2010 Dubai Golden Shaheen. In his last outing in April, Rocket Man won his second Lion City Cup (Sing Group 1).

Rocket Man is likely to start at a short price so Hyperion suggests a forecast with Happy Zero and with Green Birdie in third for the trifecta.

In the Singapore Airlines International Cup, 2007 winner Shadow Gate returns after his first win since 2007 but the focus is on the big four, namely Gloria De Campeao, Presvis, Lizards Desire and Al Shemali, who are all short in the betting.

Gloria De Campeao and Presvis return to battle again, having finished first and second in the Singapore Airlines International Cup last year.

Gloria De Campeao went on to win the 2010 Dubai World Cup, beating Lizards Desire and Lizards Desire then went on to run second in the 2010 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup at Sha Tin behind a rejuvenated Viva Pataca.

In 2010 Presvis struck trouble in running in the Dubai Duty Free when eleventh behind Al Shemali and was then fifth in the slowly run Audemars Piguet QEII Cup. However Presvis should get the fast run race he needs on Sunday and has blistering speed, as displayed twice last year in both Hong Kong and Singapore.

Interviewed at Kranji on Friday night, Hyperion commented “Al Shemali was rather a surprise winner of the Dubai Duty Free in March and seems a short price for this year’s running of the Singapore Airlines International Cup. I like the way Presvis runs and he should get the fast pace he needs to unleash his speed but he has had two unsuccessful recent starts, albeit with excuses”.

“With so many champions contesting the race, it may be one to savour rather than bet on, but I tend to favour current form horses Gloria De Campeao and Lizards Desire to finish in that order. I think Al Shemali is likely to find at least one of the others too good. Presvis is the unknown factor but maybe 2009 was his year.”

“Of the others, one of Jolie’s Shinju or Yamanin Kingly could be placed but I think this race may run true to form without major surprises” concluded Hyperion.

“Carbine” (Andrew Beattie), Australian Racing Correspondent, also expects Rocket Man to win the KrisFlyer International Sprint.