Sergeant Pepper continued the outstanding streak of wins for Magic Millions sold juveniles in Singapore when he led throughout to win on debut at Kranji tonight.

With Barend Vorster in the saddle, Sergeant Pepper led into the straight and came back under his urgings to hit the front and then hold out the late closers to win on debut.

In winning, the son of Danzero led home a quinella for Rocket Man’s trainer Pat Shaw and a trifecta result for Australian thoroughbred company Magic Millions.

The win was the 21st race in Singapore this season won by a two-year-old – 19 of those 21 were won by Magic Millions graduates.

Sergeant Pepper was purchased by South African based bloodstock agent Andy Williams on behalf of connections for $80,000 at last year’s Magic Millions National Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.

“He showed pace in his barrier trials but it was not tremendous pace,” Shaw said. “I was a bit surprised by his (short) price.”

“Still, he’s done the job, although he is still very green,” he added.

“It’s good for the owners, Rosy and Wolfgang who are first-time owners.”

“They are not here tonight – they are in Germany on holidays – but I’m sure they were watching and they’ll be thrilled to know they’ve had a win with their very first horse.”

“The second horse (Let’s See Action) also ran very well and is looking for more ground. He’s a nice horse with a good future.”

Winning rider Barend Vorster was impressed with Sergeant Pepper.

“He is still very green and needs to mature futher,” he said. “He lengthened up nicely in the home straight  as he has got such lovely long strides.”

“Once we pulled up, he put his head on the chest and wanted to do some more. He can only improve from that first run,” Vorster added.

By Danehill’s Golden Slipper winning son Danzero, Sergeant Pepper is one of six winners produced by the well related Sydney winning Centaine mare Done That.

Two of her winners – Rainbow Styling and Zingaling – have both won Group Three and listed races in Sydney.

Done That, who won three races to 1250 metres including two in Sydney, is a three quarter sister to Wyndam Special and half sister to stakes gallopers Double Reef, Star of Nouvelle and Giladane.

She is also closely related to the Japanese stakes winners and big prizemoney earners Meiner Hourglass, Meine Nouvelle and Meiner Charles.

Another in the family is the Balaklava Cup winner Civil – a five time winner and fourth placegetter in the Group One Manikato Stakes.

Meanwhile, Shaw has announced that his champion international sprinter Rocket Man won’t be running in Melbourne during the upcoming Spring Carnival.

He said the quarantine conditions heading into and out of Australia would have caused his future too many problems.

“If he is to go to Australia, he would have to be there a month before the race,” Shaw said.

“Then he would have to go straight to Hong Kong from Melbourne, meaning he would have to return to Singapore as a newcomer and be quarantined for two weeks at the SEQS which has no training facilities.”

“That would then effect his preparation towards his main target, the Golden Shaheen in March. This is a race he should have won twice already, but I still want him to be the first horse to win the race back-to-back.”

The Group One Sprinters Stakes, another leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, was now the main future target for Rocket Man.

“Japan is my first choice now. He can get there 10 days before the race and he can come straight back to isolation at Kranji after the race, and be trained almost immediately for Hong Kong.”

Australia’s loss will be Japan’s gain with Shaw saying a trip there was now high on the radar. He would also defend his international Group One wins in the Golden Shaheen in Dubai and KrisFlyer International on his home track of Kranji.

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

“A lot has been said abour 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.”

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

Winner: Sergeant Pepper
Breeding: Danzero-Done That (Centaine)
Race: Singapore TC Restricted 2&3YO Handicap (1200m)
Sold for: $80,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Macquarie Stud
Buyer: World Wide Bloodstock
Earnings: S$34,807
Owner(s): Rosy’s Stable
Trainer: Patrick Shaw (Kranji)

PICS – Singapore Turf Club.