01/12/2009
Author : Mark Bass
Pocket Power / Big City Life in match race
In an unlikely turn of events, fans can be treated to a pre season dual when Pocket Power takes on Big City Life at level weights this Saturday.
Pocket Power was entered as a late runner for the Pinnacle Plate over 1500m, as an additional event to his planned preparation after having started his groundwork later than expected this season.
The seven horse set weight field, consists of a single entry in Louie’s Pride from the Carl Burger yard, Big City Life and Vincintore from the Glen Kotzen’s stable and a further four entries for the Mike Bass Stable in Pocket Power, Air Combat, Facing Federer and Thundering Jet.
The match race between these two Durban July winners is sure to attract a life sized crowd on course, as the race coincides with the day’s primary feature in the Avontuur Cape fillies Guineas this Saturday.
Pocket Power is doing very well, his work is good and although we have had to push him somewhat to get him ready, he has freshened up nicely this last week and we are quietly confident he will give a good account of himself on Saturday. He will use this Pinnacle plate as well as the Diadem Stakes in two weeks time as a stepping stone to the Queens Plate and J&B Met in January.
The Guineas
Mike Bass has one entry in this years running of the Cape Fillies Guineas in the unknown entity in Croc Valley. She recently won her maiden from her 2nd start and has come on very well since then. We are not sure at this stage how good she is but her work at home shows she does have ability. She looks very well and may well have a chance of finishing in the money from her favourable 1 draw. It looks to be a very open Guineas this year with nothing really standing out.
Last years Champion juvenile filly Larverna, heads up the list on merit and will be the obvious horse to beat, but the Cape trainers will be eager to keep the trophy on home soil and the race will no doubt be a cracker. Jet Trail, My Kazzie, and Townsend appear the biggest dangers on form, while Miss Pink is an improving type and should be respected.
The colt’s equivalent takes place two weeks later, and the field looks red hot. Mike’s strongest candidate for some time is the Cape Classic winner Captain’s Secret. The Captain Al gelding has unfortunately drawn widest of all, and while there may be a slight stamina doubt over this trip, he is an ultra talented individual and will be a big runner regardless.
Kiss Again, the Lady Lilford owned son of Al Mufti, comes off a well run 3rd in the Selangor Cup last weekend, having given 2.5kgs to the 1st and 2nd horses, will have come on well from this, but he too has drawn poorly and we hope he can run into the money in this very strong field.
Nocturnal Affair and Exlhilaration are top class, have both drawn well and should be respected. The PE based colt Bold Silvano looks a smart sort while the inform Dean Kannemeyer coupling of Past Master and Noordhoek Flyer should be big runners again.
Gold Circle honour Pocket Power
The unveiling of the plaque and the renaming of the 2nd floor lounge to “The Pocket Power Members Lounge” was a great moment for all of us when Gold Circle honoured Pocket Power in a cocktail function held at Kenilworth recently. It’s awesome to know that his legacy will be remembered for many years to come.
Met Nominations
Mike Bass should have good back up to Pocket Power in the J&B Met this year after submitting 11 nominations for the feature race.
They are:
Pocket Power Air Combat
River Jetez Rushing Wind
Blue Tiger Bill Of Rights
Fort Vogue Diamond Quest
Thundering Jet Love is in the Air
Thanks John
Joshua’s Princess
Joshua’s Princess won the KZN Fillies Guineas, The Gold Circle Oaks and placed 4th in the J&B Met for us before racing in France for Robert Bloomberg and Barry Irwin. The daughter of Joshua Dancer had her first foal in France to Encosta De Lago His name is Prince of Algarve, who will be racing over there and he has some very good reports from his trainer, John Hammond. Joshua’s Princess has subsequently been sent back home where she is now in foal to Jet Master for the second time. She has a foal at foot by Jetmaster who looks to be a really good looker.
Here is a photo of her with her second foal, a Jetmaster filly where she stands at the Klipdrift Stud in Robertson.
African Appeal retires
Grade 1 Champions Cup winner, and soldier to the Mike Bass stable, African Appeal, has been retired to rest at our work rider Belinda Haytread’s small holding in Constantia. News is he has really taken to his new home where he will now partake as a part time show jumper.
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