Clairwood - Big Day Out

Good punting boys and girls - off to Clairwood I go!

Punters pockets bulging? plenty of ammo now for pocket power!!

Just watching them going down to the start.
Some good looking machines here.

Another superb win from the champ, pus a good run from Kapil.

PP won easier than the margin suggests, he's toying with the opposition!!!

Alcaponee when you likely to get to the big T track in Joburg ?

July day?

SOUTH AFRICA'S champion Pocket Power, dubbed "the wonder horse" by the racecourse commentator, won his eighth Grade 1 race and looked better than ever when sprinting clear in the Gold Challenge at Clairwood on Saturday.

As so often in the past, he had to be ridden to get into top gear and Bernard Fayd'herbe hit him right-handed and again with his left before the 13-20 shot got the message.

But once he did so, the effect was electricand in a matter of strides the race was over.

South Africa's dual Horse of the Year always runs lazily once he hits the front but he never looked in the slightest danger even though Kapil, backed from 14-1 to 15-2, came out of the clouds to finish just over a length second.

Pocket Power is now a short as 9-5 favourite to win his second Durban July in three weeks' time - he dead-heated with Dancer's Daughter inlast year's race.

He has to give weight all round at Greyville but South Africa's top race has only an 18lb weight range and only five of his opponents are in the handicap.

These include Kapil (who will be 12lb better) and River Jetez, third here and 9lb better off in the July.

Fayd'herbe has no doubt that his mount will be good enough to give the weight away.

"This is a fantastic horse and it's a privilege to ride one as good as him," he said.

Pocket Power has now won 16 of his 30 starts and, according to trainer Mike Bass, the record should have been even better.

Bass explained: "At times when he got beaten - and he got beat twice in this race, Bernard had him a long way back.

"He said that was the way the horse liked to run but since the summer he has raced him a lot handier and it's paying dividends."


Racing post

Kapil got to be a huge threat on a bette surface, albeit shorter straight?
Can Piere do the weight and the wait?

Had a great day at Clairwood. Did not return with a boot full of money but didnt leave a boot full either.

Walked into Mathew on course and introduced myself as Alcaponee from ABC of course.

Found Hotline in race 7 and discussed Cocoas chances and went into the parade ring. You cannot believe the size of Sparkling Gem. Shes a giant. I was not too dissapointed with Cocoa Beach. She was on the boarder line of being scratched and she ran a solid race if you consider that she was out at the weights and was 3 wide on the bend. MR89 finished 2 lengths off a 102. She will probably get a bump in the MR for this run though. Got a nice pic next to Richard Fourie. Thanks Hotline. You could see Adam Marcus really wanted to win this. Dont worry Adam its coming!

I did manage to get quite a bit of video footage. I was a bit caught up in the excitement though and forgot about the still pics. I did manage to get some though and will post tonight.

Elvis - I really must try and get to The Big T at some point. Wont be July though, would be at Greyville if it wasnt for a family wedding.

In closing nothing beats a day at the track. Everything happens so much quicker than when you plonked on a couch watching Tellytrack. For those reading this I suggest you make your way to your nearest track soon! It really does make you appreciate racing more. I just wish people would appreciate the efforts of the races post racing by applauding when they return. Great day and lots of recorded memories.

Just watched the replay of the main race on T Track. The suprise has to be Blue Tiger beating top miler Our Giant into fourth. The champ won well put Kapil looks like one to watch for the July of you are looking to beat PP. Basing this on the turn around in weights.

Al, I disagree, Kapil probably had the hardest race out the the July contenders, he will battle to beat RJ or PP who in my opinion were never extended. What impressed me was the way PP has been ridden in his last 2 starts, just off the pace. Some of his opposition must be shitting themselves with this new tactic of PP, none of them will be able to steal the race from him down the straight. Saying that it must of been an absolute privilege to see this champion in the flesh.