Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Pocket Power is on the up

David Thiselton
The Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1 800m at Clairwood on Saturday is a mouthwatering affair with eleven top class thoroughbreds in the line-up, but it isn’t easy to predict who will win. Pocket Power has never won this race, but it normally falls at the end of the season when he’s past his peak. This time he’s on the up. Mike Bass felt after the Gold Challenge that Blue Tiger had set a searching gallop and most of the horses that were not near their peaks, including Pocket Power, were found out. Pocket Power still managed a gallant third. Bass believes he has come on from that run and the champion could be the one to beat here despite his wide draw and big weight.
Noordhoek Flyer was the horse on everybody’s lips when arriving for the Champions Season and it would be foolish to dismiss him after being beaten into fourth in the Grade Daily News 2000. The verdict from jockey Karl Neisius and trainer Dean Kannemeyer after that race was that he hadn’t stayed a true 2 000m. Kannemeyer said that with Noordhoek Flyer there were few horses in the country he would fear over a mile. Over 1 800m from a good draw he should also be very effective, especially if the pace is not too strong. Bold Silvano has always been highly thought of and having been immature for most of his three-year-old year he is now coming into his own in the De Kock yard.
This trip is very suitable and as one who comes from off them his draw is not too much of a concern. Rudra ran on steadily in the Gold Challenge but made no impression. He is now drawn well over a more suitable distance and the De Kock yard is in flying form. Orbison is a fine looking, rangy type of a horse and is drawn in pole position. He disappointed the yard in his last start over course and distance when a close fourth in the Cup Trial. However, he will probably be right there if at his best for as a long-striding sort he should enjoy this galloping track. He also has a good turn of foot. Red Rake is the likely pacemaker but he could slow it down if not taken on. He is a long striding sort and was looking very well in himself during the week so he could be a contender over his ideal distance. Galileo’s Galaxy needed his last two runs and this race has always been his mission. He has a wide draw to overcome but has Felix Coetzee aboard over a suitable trip. His Charles Laird stablemate Smart Banker will be ridden by Anton Marcus as Marcus felt it would be his easier option, with no necessity to lose weight for the ride. Smart Banker had a very hard race with a Grade 1 penalty in testing going in the Champion Challenge over 2 000m in May. Laird took it easy on him as a result and he needed his last run in the Gold Challenge when running a good fourth. With another Grade 1 penalty to carry here he has it tough, although he should be at his peak now and can't be written off. Fabiani’s last run in the Gold Challenge can be ignored as he had no luck in running. Piere Strydom rides him and although he has a few problems he has proved himself just off the best on his day.
Captain Scott has a tough task at the weights and a place would be his best hope. This is a comeback run for Dan De Lago with the main objective to see whether he is back on track after becoming problematic at the starting stalls.
It’s a tough call but Pocket Power is selected to beat Noordhoek Flyer and Bold Silvano with Rudra and Orbison next best.

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