Pocket Power Aiming for Fourth J&B Met - 01-21-10

January 21 - Known by racing fans in South Africa as the 'people's champion', 7-year-old gelding Pocket Power has more than lived up to that nickname, having won just about every major South African race there is, some many times over. For instance, next weekend he'll try for his fourth consecutive J&B Met title.

Come Saturday, January 30 at Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town, Pocket Power is expected to start against 17 other runners in the 2010 J&B Metropolitan Handicap (Gr 1), arguably one of South Africa's top three most prestigious races. And with a record three wins under his belt, a fourth would just be cream.

Trained by leading South African trainer Mike Bass, Pocket Power has become one of those thoroughbreds that during his life has achieved a well-deserved champion status, which after he is gone will evolve into a legendary status. During his long and illustrious career he has proved to be virtually unstoppable.

And at the age of seven, by which time most successful racehorse have been retired, Pocket Power is still out there lining up at barriers across South Africa, raring to go. There is little doubt that next Saturday most of the thousands of race goers expected at Kenilworth will be there to see if Pocket Power can pull it off.

However, it wasn't always winner's circles for Pocket Power. He was acquired in the 2004 Cape Sales by Mark Shirtliff, who outbid Arthur and Rina Webber. But determined to be involved with the Pocket Power, they asked Shirtliff if they could purchase a share in him and he relented, selling them a third share.

In August 2005, Pocket Power made his debut in a Maiden Plate over 1200m. He finished fifth, In fact, it took three more attempts over the same course and distance before Pocket Power broke his maiden. And after he crossed that line first and tasted victory for the first time, he has never looked back since.

In the winter of 2006, Pocket Power triumphed in the Winter Guineas (Gr 3), the Winter Classic (Gr 3) and the Winter Derby (Gr 3). After a three month break, Pocket Power was entered in an Open Handicap, only managing a fifth place finish. However, that was the last race until now that he has been unplaced.

Below is the complete field (by post drawn) for next Saturday's 2010 J&B Metropolitan Handicap (Gr 1):

1. Red Rake
2. Pocket Power
3. Kapil
4. Fort Vogue
5. Fabiani
6. Lion's Blood
7. Diamond Quest
8. Dan De Lago (AUS)
9. River Jetez
10. Blue Tiger
11. Strategic News (AUS)
12. Surfin' USA
13. Forest Path
14. Big City Life
15. Thundering Jet
16. Smart Banker
17. Oracy (NZ)
18. Mother Russia