Pocket Power on verge of history!

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Pocket Power on verge of South African history


Preview: South Africa, Saturday (2.55pm GMT)

Kenilworth: L'Ormarins Queen's Plate (Grade 1) 1m, turf (Live on TurfTV)

SOUTH AFRICAN superstar Pocket Power bids for a place in his nation's racing history in the Queen's Plate at Kenilworth on Saturday.

On the same card, his great rival Dancer's Daughter appears to have the Paddock Stakes, the main support race, at her mercy.

No horse has ever won the Queen'sPlate three times but Pocket Power, impressive winner of this L'Ormarins-sponsored Grade 1 mile in both 2007 and 2008, has looked as good as ever in his two races this term and is sure to start odds-on.

The dual winner of South Africa's top race, the J&B Met, has a devastating burst of acceleration which, although sometimes slow in coming, is usually deadly and he has never been beaten over the Cape Town mile.

But trainer Mike Bass is refusing to count his chickens, saying: "The horse is fine but this is a genuine Grade 1 and it's going to be a very hard race to win.

"There are some good horses against us including Buy And Sell who has beaten Pocket Power before and Kapil who Irate a hell of a horse."

Buy And Sell beat Pocket Power in the Champions Cup at Clairwood in July when the champion turned on the style too late. Trainer Sean Tarry says that his charge is in good order and insists that "therace is not as lopsided as it looks."

Kapil, the mount of Felix Coetzee, has warmed up for this by running well in two sprints and has been backed from 14-1 to 8-1. But there has also been money for last year's Met runner-up Our Giant (6-1 to 9-2) who has won his last two.

Trainer Charles Laird said: "It's hard to take on Pocket Power in Cape Town but Our Giant's preparation has gone exceptionally well."



Also on Saturday

Kenilworth: Paddock Stakes (Grade 1) 1m, turf, f/m (2.20pm GMT, Live on TurfTV)

Dancer's Daughter, who dead-heated with Pocket Power in the Durban July and is due to renew rivalry in the J&B Met on 31 January, is as short as 1-4 with many bookmakers for the TBA-sponsored Paddock Stakes.

The British-bred mare will be ridden by Pocket Power's regular partner Bernard Fayd'herbe and Justin Snaith, although gearing her preparation towards the Met, insists that he has her cherry-ripe for this.

He said: "She has been heavy this season but I have taken a lot of weight off her and she is now spot on."

The five-year-old grey probably has most to fear from River Jetez who is keeping up the family challenge as she is a full sister to Pocket Power.




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Pocket Powers biggest danger in my book is Kapil. Perfect prep and Stan Elley seemed very confident on Going to Post last night. Pocket is a legend already and I would love him to win but Kapil will make him work for the vistory. Both have a power finish and tomorrow will prove who has the most power in the finish. We can never rule out the pure 1600m ability of Our Giant neither and Charles Laird is also seems to be brimming with confidence. Buy and Sell, a horse that I always follow does not appeal to me in this challenge and would be the fourth horse accross the line in my view, It may go down to pure riding ability in the end.
No offence to Jock on Buy and Sell but this horse needs someone like Mawing on to get him to win. This horse gets lazy and has a flat spot and against these competitors you cannot afford to be flat at any stage or make any mistakes. The run will probably bring him on nicely for the met.

I always look to beat 4/10 shots so Kapil gets my vote. I have just seen the riding arrangements and Kapil gets a double vote from me.

agree Al i made a comment on here after Kapil prep run last time out, very eye-catching and horse clearly has ability.

Take a place dbl on River Jetez and Kapil and get better odds than PP and DD wins..

I don't Buy your argument Cat - maybe there's a Giant killer in that field - maybe Wisden has the answer - but the Met another race!!!

Puffin - that looks like a good bet. I see Tuna is covering some distance for the first time today. Weight has to be a worry. Also seems to be following in the footsteps of his former stable mate and now going over distance. All the best I am nsure he will do you proud.

Tks...weight is a concern but we have to try today to see if he can do the 2800m on Met day.....

Links did well in that didnt he then went on to run in July and then the Gold Cup. The package of the three horses was a buy of a life time it seems.

Awesome - Well done to Pocket Power and connections - The easiest quarter in living history

Fantastic achievement for the mighty Pocket Power,and well done to Marsh and connections,we have definitelly seen our S A Champion.Will go down as one of our best.

Could be best of all time.

nope dont agree