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Pocket Power to call it a day

Cape Town - It's official. Pocket Power will retire from racing after the J&B Met next Saturday, according to trainer Mike Bass.

The statement was announced to the press on Thursday morning after a lengthy final discussion the previous day with all the connections concerned.

According to Bass, "There have been opposing opinions on the matter, both of which hold valid viewpoints, but we have decided to retire Pocket Power officially from racing next Saturday.

"It has been a very difficult decision to make and also one that I am still not entirely convinced of.

"On the one hand, I am steadfast to the fact that he deserves to bow out with his head held high. He has achieved so much and deserves to retire while he is still on top of his game. He has been such a great soldier to all of us and there is nothing left for him to prove. A champions exit would be very fitting and this opinion to retire him, has won over the majority as the correct decision. He is a very brave horse who will always try his very best no matter what, so to race him on and break his heart after all that he has given us, would be a great injustice.

"But, I was also left with a few important questions I could not answer.

"At the age of eight going on nine, there is still no horse in my yard that can beat him. That’s a fact. I know the horse very well and believe me when I say that he is still very much enjoying the competitive aspect of his work and racing which is a very important factor to me. I have always said that Pocket will tell me when he has had enough, but he is not showing me any major signs of that yet. He may be getting a little rounded these days and you might say has lost a bit of speed compared to yesteryears, but he still has the zest and the will to race like no other. Good horses enjoy their racing, they are bred to run. Would that not be unfair to take that away?
But, the main question that needed to be answered was: Do I think that that he will be able to win another big feature race? And the answer to that would be, yes.

"So catch 22 you may say. It has been a very delicate and thoughtful decision to make, and a very difficult call. Opinions are varied but in the end, the final decision has been left with me, so I have settled on a commitment to officially retire him for the time being, with an option to return if I deem fit. A rash decision would be unfair and I believe only time will tell.

"Pocket Power still enjoys life very much at his Milnerton home and that’s where he will be for the time being. He will be out of work officially, and he will not be going to Durban (for the Durban July) this year, but that's not to say that perhaps I might bring him back for a race or two, if and when the time arises.

"We will be giving Pocket Power an official send off and tribute on Met day just before the Stayer’s race. He is the best horse I have ever trained, so for all of us, this will be a very emotional moment. The J&B Met has been a great part of his legacy and this public farewell would be a nice touch for all his fans.

"The 2011 J&B Met will probably, and in all likelihood, be the last time he graces our tracks and I have no doubt he will bow out very courageously in doing so."

Meanwhile, the J&B Met gallops made a welcome return to the big race build up at Kenilworth on Thursday and there was a fair turnout of horses, although all of them ran well within themselves.

A champagne breakfast was put on for owners and other dignitaries, while the all important big race draw was conducted after the gallops.

The Mike de Kock-trained favourite Mother Russia and her fancied stablemate Flirtation, who are the only two females in the race, were first out and cantered from the 1 200m mark. Mother Russia was the most visually impressive horse of the morning, visibly pricking her ears and quickening when she saw the straight ahead of her. The pair later received great draws of eight and five respectively.

De Kock, who spoke live from Dubai, allayed fears about Mother Russia seeing out 2 000m, pointing out that she had wasted energy in a false start before being caught late in last year’s Met and revealing that she was not at peak fitness when stopping late in this season’s Summer Cup. Mother Russia also won a Grade 2 Weight For Age race at Greyville over 2 000m when with Joey Ramsden, beating River Jetez.

Pocket Power worked with Super Storm and both looked in good shape. Mike Bass was thrilled with Pocket Power’s draw of three and revealed that he might not have had the great horse perfectly right for the Queen’s Plate. Bernard Fayd’Herbe said he had been pleased with the Queen’s Plate run and reckoned he would definitely have come on for it. Both he and Bass said 2 000m would be more to Pocket Power’s liking these days.

Bass’s Fort Vogue put in pleasing work. Given a lead by Investec Cape Derby contender, Castlethorpe, he made up the deficit effortlessly and finished well, although both ran within themselves. Super Storm drew widest of all in 17, while Fort Vogue got a nice draw of seven. Bass’s fourth runner Rushing Wind, who drew pole position, wasn’t at the gallops as he runs in the Grade1 Cape Flying Championship on Saturday.

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Tales Of Bravery did a very gentle workout under big race jockey MJ Byleveld, but strode out well and looked in great shape. He drew wide at 16. The Dean Kannemeyer pair In Writing and Last Regal strode out nicely, although well within themselves, and then drew six and twelve respectively. The Stephen Page-trained Cask cantered for 800m. He is not a horse who takes a lot of work. Page said he was ideally suited to Kenilworth’s new course and reckoned he had a definite place chance. He drew 11, which was not too bad.

The Glen Kotzen-trained Paddy O’Reilly looked to be enjoying his workout with Derby hopeful Code Rock, although they didn’t give much away. Paddy O’Reilly got a fine draw of four and could earn a place if he breaks on terms.

The only three-year-old in the race, the Justin Snaith-trained Run For It, is a difficult horse, so did not attend, while Joey Ramsden’s Bravura was not there for the same reason.

The Yvette Bremner-trained Celtic Fire was still in Port Elizabeth, Rudra was recuperating from his journey from Gauteng and Lion In Winter and Past Master also did not attend. Dean Diedericks has done a fine job with the track and some fine racing can be looked forward to next weekend as well as Saturday.

Click HERE to join the Pocket Power Facebook page


Pocket Power and jockey Bernard Fayd'Herbe (File)
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