Pocket gallops into History

Months of  planning, tension and of course, dreaming, came to fruition in just over two frenetic  minutes shortly after twenty past four on Saturday afternoon at a packed Kenilworth Racecourse, when our hero, Pocket Power, sailed past the J & B Met  winning post ahead of his sixteen rivals to etch his name even deeper into the woodwork of  horseracing folklore. He did it so very easily and with a sense of contempt and superiority over his hapless opposition that was almost tangible. For his proud owners, Marsh Shirtliff and Arthur and Rina Webber, owning a horse of this calibre is an honour that most people can only hope to dream about – for every one of the team at Mike Bass Racing the mere association and privilege of working with him is something that we will cherish and proudly share with our grandchildren in the years to come. There are no superlatives or adjectives that do the Pocket true justice, and he proved once again on Saturday that he is the ‘People’s horse’.

The J& B Met is a race that everybody wants to win. The pinnacle of achievement in can be an unforgiving sport. Trainers, owners and jockeys have been known to postpone planned retirement dates to grab that elusive first win in a race that has a mystique and allure all of its own. From our launch in 1976, it was the Everest that we always aimed for and while at the time, for a novice trainer with a motley crew of horses, it was little more than a pipe- dream, we realized that we had to aim for the stars if we had any aspirations of success. The dream took a full twenty five years, until when in 2001, the Fine Edge gelding Bunter Barlow, under an inspired and ecstatic Glen Hatt, edged out his more fancied stable-mate Trademark. It was a first win in the big one for Mike Bass and an emotional occasion that, quite frankly, feels like it happened just yesterday. To put the cherry on top, we grabbed second spot too! Bunter was certainly no Pocket Power. In fact even Trademark, whom he had conquered on the day, certainly had more ability than him. What he did have, was tons of heart and he had performed above himself on the day. More importantly, the ice had been broken and in 2007 we sent out Pocket Power – a rising star at the time – to take our second J & B Met title. We could not have imagined in our wildest dreams that the Queen’s Plate / J&B Met double would be repeated for a second year in succession.

The 2007 running of the Queen’s Plate at the end of December was probably the turning point in Pocket’s preparation. A sparkling effort in the Merchants in November over a distance way short of his best, when he had been well beaten by the fleet-footed Something Else, showed that he was on track. The Green Point Stakes run two weeks later at WFA – terms that inevitably suit the best horse – saw him account for Jagged Ice and a few other Met hopefuls. The Queen’s Plate win was to be the eye-opener, however. Languishing in midfield with 300 meters to run, he looked to be going nowhere, until Bernard gave him a reminder and showed him daylight. The acceleration was breathtaking as he ran away from many of his Met contemporaries, easing up at the line, to beat Floatyourboat and Succesful Bidder with ease.  

He was priced up as a short-priced favourite to beat his sixteen rivals in the J& B Met and on paper it was difficult to envisage him getting beaten – although a talented raider in Biarritz was weighted to beat him. Races, as we well know are not run on paper and unknown factors like pace, weather conditions and luck in running were the unknowns. He would have little excuses from his plum (excuse the fashion pun) draw of gate number 4. We were not worried about the pace as we knew he could handle both a slow or fast-run race. As history now shows, everything worked to an absolute charm.

Pocket, Float and Bill raced together in midfield while the Laird pacemaker Likeithot cut out a fair pace up front. Hilgrove had been dropped in by Glen Hatt and was dawdling along near the back –where he enjoys to be. Karl Neisius grabbed first run on Bernard about 300 meters from home when he switched Float out and went for glory. His effort was only momentarily impressive however as within a matter of strides, Pocket had made up ten lengths to cruise past Our Giant who had looked a likely winner with 200 meters to run. It was all over in a matter of strides as Bernard geared the bay down at the line to the roaring of the 48000 strong crowd on a beautiful Cape summer’s day. It was mission completed and the plan had come together.

Looking at the performances of our four runners, the overall report card is a very positive one, with Pocket Power having, not surprisingly achieved a distinction. Floatyourboat ran a gallant race in defeat to finish fifth after looking a likely top-two finisher with 200 meters to run. He didn’t quite maintain his effort late and after having been given every chance by veteran Karl Neisius after being used up early from a poor draw, he may just have been beaten by four better horses on the day. We would dearly have enjoyed giving Karl his first Met winner after so many years of loyal service to our yard. It was also his 51st birthday on Sunday just past, and what a lovely present it would have been. After being dropped in early, Hilgrove’s customary electrifying late kick was just not forthcoming and it is possible he does not fully stay a true-run 2000m. His best efforts have been around 1600m to 1800m and this range may well be his optimum trip. He will be back – be assured of that ! Bill Of Rights, certainly the talking horse of the Met build-up, was well enough placed next to Float during the running but found no extra in the closing stages and subsequently pulled up very lame post race. With loads of talent, a big heart and a great turn of foot, he is not one to be discounted and should be watched closely for further improvement come the KZN season. With his characteristic hard-nosed attitude, Pocket retained his camera shy policy and despite much contingency planning, we are yet to secure a great lead-in photo with him – Pity, when one thinks that he has won ten races. Breeder Dan de Wet was on hand at the lead-in to enjoy the moment with us and his brave remark to label Pocket Power as ‘home and hosed’ in a Sporting Post article a few weeks prior to the race, was vindicated. His dethroning of the former Zandvliet champion, Peter Beware, in favour of Pocket as the new king, was also well justified. Zandvliet’s fifty years of turning out top quality horses will continue for many years yet and we thank them for their support.

So where to from here?

Much planning, consultation and discussions will take place – a date in Durban or Dubai, or even a trip to Gauteng – with a Horse like this, the world is one’s oyster! At this stage all four horses are scheduled to travel to Durban after their mandatory AHS vaccinations and a well-deserved break. Hilgrove and Bill Of Rights will go up early while Pocket and Float will follow later to probably contest the Gold Challenge and Vodacom Durban July. While six months in horseracing can be a lifetime and so much can happen, we are extremely excited at this stage for our KZN Champions Season prospects and besides being a wonderful province in which to enjoy some great golf, it will be a pleasure to have some serious firepower to contest the rich pickings on the East Coast. It is not going to be easy but with the right Horses one always has a realistic chance.

A word of congratulations to our colleagues at Snaith racing for an exceptional J&B Met day  performance that saw them grab the other three feature events. Dancer’s Daughter is an outstanding filly and her win in the Grade 1 Fancourt Majorca Stakes was extremely impressive – particularly as she hardly settled at all in the running. She has been rated a MR 106 by the handicapper so will come into the Vodacom Durban July with a handy galloping weight. She needs to be watched very closely! Russian Sage’s win in the Grade 1 Investec Cape Derby was also particularly impressive. The son of Jallad both sprints and stays and if Justin takes him to Durban, he looks the sort who could be  a serious factor in the SA Guineas at Greyville, amongst other races. The win by Justin’s maiden filly, Sparkling Gem,  against rated colts in the Lexus Summer Juvenile Stakes( Listed) , was also very striking. Our runner, Los Colmos, whom we had expected to give a good account of himself, will definitely be better around the turn and he is one for the notebook – in spite of an indifferent performance on the surface.  

Thanking everybody remotely connected with this wonderful achievement could take a few chapters!. Firstly a word of commendation is due to Gold Circle for organizing the day and co-ordinating the build-up. It is so very easy to sit back and criticize but it is obvious that much hard work and planning goes into putting an event of this size together. To big race sponsors J& B, it is difficult to imagine the Met being called anything else but the J & B Met! Your internationally recognized image and wholesale support of the industry is acknowledged with thanks. The stake is generously being increased to R2,5 million from 2009 and we are pleased to learn that the association will be around to at least 2010, and hopefully beyond. A big word of thanks to our farrier Greg Dabbs who has looked after Pockets feet from the very beginning and I’m sure has given him many sleepless nights in the past. A successful yard does not hinge on any individual staff member, one horse or one owner and we are fortunate to have owners who understand the potential pitfalls and hazards of the industry and are prepared to place their faith in our expertise are the backbone of our success. Every rand spent on a racehorse is the purchase of a dream and a calculated risk. There are no doubt sometimes better investment options available but few will provide more pleasure and excitement.

To our sponsors, Betvic, Cutter and Buck and Equimark, a huge word of appreciation for your belief in us. Candice turned heads on the day in her stunning outfit sponsored by Hip Hop.  We have been very fortunate to enjoy the loyal support of so many good racing people. The spirit and camaraderie amongst our team members and patrons is wonderful. To Rina, Arthur, Marsh, Dan , Bernard, Boy Boy and the entire MBR team,  an unconditional word of thanks and appreciation for the effort, hard work, loyalty and support

Finally, to Mike Bass and Pocket Power – your performances speak far louder than any words – From the team at Mike Bass Racing, we salute you both and thanks for making us all so very proud.

To view our full Met 2008 Gallery click here