What do u think will win the 2010 J&B Met...

Kapil..I hear from the consultants..they tip well..but ride bad..

South Africa’s hottest Sizzling Summer Season racing, fashion and entertainment extravaganza, the R2,5-million, Grade 1 J&B Met can be viewed on SABC 3 live and uninterrupted from Kenilworth Racecourse from 15:00 to 17:00 on Saturday, January 30.

David Thiselton

Bernard and Robert Fayd’herbe, two brothers closely linked to Saturday’s J&B Met favourite Pocket Power, have a laid back outward appearance, but in fact the great horse’s success brings them a great deal of joy and more than a little emotion.

“It is extra special because it has become a family thing,” said Robert.
He said that a fourth Met win for Pocket Power, adding to his recent fourth Queen’s Plate win, would “mean a huge amount to us.”
“Wherever our family are in Madagascar or Mauritius they tune in and share in the triumph,” he said.

Bernard has ridden Pocket Power to three of his four L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate wins, two of his three J&B Met triumphs as well as his Vodacom Durban July and Gold Challenge victories, among others.
Robert is assistant trainer to Mike Bass and along with groom Boyboy Jevu is Pocket Power’s most trusted companion.
He travels with the big bay on his journeys to Durban, taking care of him while the boss is not there, and also accompanies him in the parade ring on the days when he’s on his toes, as is sometimes the case when he’s away from home.
Bernard feels that Pocket Power is still the horse to beat on Saturday despite being a seven-year-old.

“I don’t think his age will stop him,” he said. “There’s no mistaking that he’s not young anymore, but he still won the Queen’s Plate as well as he’s ever done. He’s never won easily before, he always does just enough. No matter what race, he will never win by far.”

Asked on whether Pocket Power’s infamous “flat spot” was real or imagined, he said,

“It’s definitely there. He picks it up at the top of the straight and then just sort of hovers for a while. It’s really annoying, but I’m used to it and it doesn’t worry me anymore, because I know he’s going to kick again later on.”

Bernard elaborated on Pocket Power’s now famous victory surge, in which a matter of strides he leaves his rivals for dead,

“He is a horse who really wants to win, but I do have to ride him hard until the end because he tends to think he’s done enough when he’s hit the front.”

He confirmed that Pocket Power is a better horse in Cape Town than Durban.
Bernard did not feel, like some, that this year’s Met field was stronger than the previous fields Pocket Power had beaten.
Of the dangers, he said,

“Big City Life is a very good horse and on his day can put up a big run. The Johannesburg horses are strong. River Jetez is doing very well and it was just the really slow pace that cost her in the Paddock Stakes. Mother Russia must also have a chance. But Pocket Power is the horse they all have to beat.”

Did annyone catch Robert Bloombergs comments on "Going to Post" with Stan Elly? I respect his opinion on runners and would like to know what he has tipped if anyone did catch the show.

Al,

I believe in the MET he tipped the following:
1) Pocket Power
2) Kapil
3) Oracy
4) Red Rake
5) Fabiani

For the Majorca he tipped the following:
1) Sparkling Gem
Can't remember the rest

For the Derby:
1) Noordhoek Flyer
2) Ancestral Fore
3) irish Flame
4) Bravura

For the Reserve Stayers:
1) Bill of Rights
2) Mokaro
3) Noblewood

I think this is pretty accurate, but not sure EXACTLY.

Met tipping spot on. Then i changed channels at FTV had Nudie Hour they was better looking than Stan and the Guest presenter.

Shot Tommy caught his tips for the other races and you are pretty much spot on. i missed what he had to say about the Met. I hope the champ can do it again.

It was a good show barring the mind numbing process of having to go through the stats, runners and riders of 60 horses.

I would rather have heard Robert give his thoughts on the rest of the card as well. It would be great if he was a weekly fixture on the programme.

What I found interesting is that Robert doesnt think Dan De Lago will run a place. He explained that the horse had missed a few days work and had a slight hiccup with a knock in training.

Isn't it also interesting we have to rely on a tipster for info like this and the trainer doesn't say a word.

Anyway Bloomberg says anything close to 2-1 on the Pocket is a brilliant bet and he can't see any reason to oppose the champ. He did warn that if Red Rake gets a decent lead it could be tough to get past him.

My top 4 is as follows:

1. Pocket Power
2. Red Rake
3. Oracy
4. River Jetez

I've had anti-post bets on Red Rake so I'll be shouting him home but in reality they all have to beat the Pocket...

Must say huge respect for Robert will try and catch the show

10-12 knots south predicted on sat.....that bit of a headwind shouldnt stop RED RAKE....300metres out he'll be 3 lengths clear and then we'll see who will come out the pack to try and get him...methinks nothing....

hotline..methinks you right..
what will we put..R10k, R20K...we must put our money where our mouth is..
but not with the KZN bookmaker..
he will say it was after the race...

Race Card Selections

Race 1

1. Malcomino

2. Storminateacup

3. Naval Attack

4. Senor Sassi

Race 2

1. Captain’s Call

2. Peonie Paradise

3. Icy Zone

4. Seven Veils

Race 3

1. Vera

2. Asian Emperor

3. Maureen De Lago

4. Addition

Race 4

1. Mighty Atom

2. Air Combat

3. Genius My King

4. Alvaro

Race 5

1. Noordhoek Flyer

2. Bravura

3. Ancestral Fore

4. Aim High

Race 6

1. Lady Windermere (Best Bet)

2. Sparkling Gem

3. Croc Valley

4. Love Is In The Air

Race 7

1. Big City Life

2. Fabiani

3. Pocket Power

4. Dan De Lago

Race 8

1. Naughty Girl

2. Silver Apples

3. Seal Of Approval

4. We Have Lift Off

Race 9

1. Wethreekings

2. Lion In Winter

3. Dance With Al

4. Rostov

Race 10

1. Mokaro

2. Robinson Crusoe / Casey’s Son

3. Noblewood

4. Hospitality

Regards,

James Everett