Black Caviar (pictured) will no longer face Rocket Man in the Patinack Farm Classic

Singapore sprint champion Rocket Man will bypass his sceduled Patinack Farm Classic run after it was established he would have to spend too much time in quarantine.

The long-awaited clash between super mare Black Caviar and Rocket Man is now off the table with the gelding’s trainer, Patrick Shaw, opting to avoid Australia altogether this spring.

“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,” Shaw said.

“He can get to Japan 10 days before the race and then can come straight back to Kranji.

“All in all, he would spend more than 60 days overseas, which means he would have to return to Singapore as a newcomer and be quarantined for two weeks at the SEQS (Singapore Equine Quarantine Station) which has no training facilities.”

Shaw was supposed to fly into Australia next week to inspect the local quarantine facilities, but will now not be making the trip at all.

“As we all know, he has a huge following in Australia and it’s a pity he won’t be running in Australia,” Shaw said.

“A lot has been said about the match-race with Black Caviar, but to be honest, it’s not all about the mare.”

“He’s Australian-bred and it would have meant the world to me to just take him back to his country of birth to compete against the best there.”

The trainer is still hoping a match race between the two big guns of sprinting will ensue.

“As for the race with Black Caviar, who knows, it might happen in Kranji in May 2012 now that she is targeted at Royal Ascot next year,” he said.

“The KrisFlyer in May 2012 could possibly be part of her lead-up for that.”

Despite the fact the spring carnival is losing out on one superstar; it appears it will gain another.

It appears likely that Royal Ascot’s Golden Jubilee Stakes winner Society Rock will run in the Patinack Farm Classic on November 5.

“His trainer, James Fanshawe, and his owner’s agent have made contact with me about the Patinack Farm Classic,” said Racing Victoria’s international recruiter Leigh Jordan.

The Sydney autumn carnival is also set to receive some international talent next year, with England’s King’s Stand Stakes winner Prohibit expected to run in the Lightning Stakes.

“Prohibit’s trainer, Robert Cowell, has expressed a firm interest,” Jordan said.

“His horse loves 1000m and straight racing and from here he can then take him to Dubai.”