Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Pocket attempts a ‘Kauto Star’

The legendary Pocket Power attempts to ‘do a Kauto Star’ and win the Gr 1 Queen’s Plate for the fourth successive year at Kenilworth in Cape Town on Saturday. No other horse has ever won this historic Grade 1 mile more than twice, yet such is the seven-year-old’s fame - and form - that the local bookmakers expect to open him as short as 4-10 when they start betting later in the week. But for intermittent problems with his near-fore foot and ankle joint, he would now be in Dubai preparing for the Carnival, where an international rating of 121 (only 3pts behind Mastercraftsman and a point in front of Oaks winner Sariska) suggests he would more than hold his own.
Indeed, the gelding’s rating, and his reputation, might well be even higher but for his insistence on making hard work of every race. Regular rider Bernard Fayd’herbe invariably has to start riding him quite some way out and it is not normally until near the furlong marker that his mount consents to respond. But when he does, his acceleration is electrifying. He then refuses point blank to go into the winner’s enclosure. “He is not interested in standing there having his photograph taken,” said Leicester-born trainer Mike Bass. “He just wants to get back to his stable and his feed.”
Last month Pocket Power reappeared to mercilessly cut down Durban July winner Big City Life, widely regarded as his only serious opponent on Saturday.
“Although he was pretty fit that day, I think he has come on a bit since,” said Bass. “Certainly he has come good.” At the end of the month Pocket Power bids to cement his place in South African racing history still further by winning his fourth consecutive J& B Met - Cape Town’s number one race, for which he is already hot favourite. - Racingpost

\| All information on these pages are (©) Copyright Gold Circle Pty (Ltd) 2002 \| site map
(This site is best viewed at 1024 X 768)