Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

‘Pocket’ is ready and primed to fire

David Thiselton
Mike Bass was away yesterday but his travelling assistant, Robert Fayd’herbe, was upbeat about the well-being of the yard's trio of Clairwood-based Vodacom Durban July contenders.
“Fort Vogue pulled up sound from his race on Sunday,’’ he said. “He should be spot on by July day.”
Fort Vogue finished second in the Pinnacle Stakes event over 1 800m and it was one of the most eye-catching recent July trials as he was very fresh and keen in the running, yet still came within a nod of the head of winning, fighting all the way to the line.
Fayd’herbe confirmed that River Jetez had suffered no ill effects whatsoever from her stumble in the Gold Bracelet on Canon Gold Cup day, a race she went on to win.
“She is a very tough filly,” he said.
Asked on whether River Jetez had perhaps peaked too early, he said, “Definitely not. She had easy races in both her last starts. She didn’t have to be hammered to win and is still improving.’’
He then said, “But Pocket Power is still the one they all have to beat. He has come well. He was on the the bigger side before his last start and is now looking much better.’’
Second kick
Pocket Power has finished third in his last two starts, in the Grade 1 Gold Challenge over 1 600m and the Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1 800m, both at Clairwood.
He moved up well in both races, but seemed to lack his famous “second kick”, that has seen him accelerating past the leaders many a time in the past in the final stages.
However, Fayd’herbe disagreed and said, “The courses have been running terribly, very fast and hard. If the younger horses get away under those conditions, as they have been, it is very difficult to catch them.’’
Greyville has remained in good condition throughout the winter though and has very good grass cover so would not fall into the “fast and hard” category.
Fayd’herbe added, “Pocket Power won’t find it easy with 60kg. A lot will depend on the draw he gets.”
In last year’s race Pocket Power was squeezed early and Bernard Fayd'herbe was forced to drop him back. The pace then became a crawl and his chances were gone from a long way out.
This year’s pace should be a good one with Mike de Kock having horses that will need a good pace and also having the galloping Happy Valley in his team. But Fayd’herbe said, “If Pocket Power draws in the first seven I won’t mind if there’s a slow pace.”

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