NEWS
Pocket Power lands J&B Met triple
Posted: Saturday, January 31, 2009 5:26 PM
by Myra Lewyn
History was made at the finish line in the $245,250 Investec J&B Met (SAf-G1) on Saturday at Kenilworth when Pocket Power outbattled Dancer’s Daughter to win Cape Town’s prestigious race for an unprecedented third straight year.
The six-year-old Jet Master gelding finished in a dead heat with Dancer’s Daughter in the 2008 Vodacom Durban July Stakes (SAf-G1), and the familiar foes were reunited on Saturday in a highly anticipated showdown.
Pocket Power, a two-time Horse of the Year, completed a historic triple when capturing the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate (SAf-G1) at Kenilworth for the third consecutive time earlier this month. He needed every inch of the Kenilworth straight to hold back Graham Beck’s resolute champion miler Dancer’s Daughter for his history-making triumph in the J&B Met.
Dancer’s Daughter and Pocket Power raced off the pace set by Quick Millions, who opened a clear lead early. Kevin Shea rallied Dancer’s Daughter entering the straight and she readily responded to seize the lead inside the 400-meter mark.
Bernard Fayd’Herbe took aim on the Act One mare with Pocket Power, who effortlessly reeled her in and seized command. Dancer’s Daughter dug in and battled back but could quite get to the bay gelding, who covered 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) in 2:04.06 on turf rated as good.
Fayd’Herbe told www.sahorseracing.com that once Pocket Power reached the 150-meter mark, he started to idle.
“I had to give him a few smacks to keep him going. I was getting a little worried as I knew the filly was going to come back at me, but he started to flick his ear and I realized he still had running in him,” Fayd’Herbe said.
Dancer’s Daughter held on for second, three-quarters of a length in front of Pocket Power’s full sister, River Jetez, who closed late for third place.
Pocket Power won the J&B Met in 2007 and in ’08, a rare double achieved previously by Politician in 1978 and '79.
Pocket Power is trained by Mike Bass for the partnership of Marsh Shirtliff and Arthur and Rina Webber, the buyers and underbidder, respectively, when Pocket Power was sold as a yearling. Webber acquired a half-interest after the sale.
Bred by Zandvliet Stud in Robertson, Western Cape, Pocket Power has overcome periods of unsoundness to become one of South Africa’s greatest racehorses. He has won 14 of 29 career starts and may embark on an international campaign that could take him to Dubai.
Pocket Power’s dam, Stormsvlei, by Prince Florimund (SAf), is a half sister to Group 1 winner Harry’s Echoe.
Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
