KELSO

A victory last weekend sees Pocket Power in sublime form as he prepares for a world record-equalling fifth consecutive victory in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate in January and a place in horse racing folklore.



With his 20th career victory in last Saturday’s Grade 2 Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth, Pocket Power served notice to his younger rivals that he is fast approaching his best form ahead of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate at Kenilworth on Saturday, 8 January 2011.



Saturday’s win marked a hat-trick of titles in this race for Pocket Power, who saw off the challenge of Cape Town’s current star Tales of Bravery and remains an incredible force at the highest level of this sport.



And now history beckons for this South African horse racing legend. With a record of four victories in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, Pocket Power now has the chance to join the American star Kelso as amongst the greatest horses of all time by winning a fifth consecutive major Grade 1 title.



Kelso was the first in history to achieve this by winning the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup from 1960 to 1964.



Dominance of any single race at this level and for such a sustained period is a significant achievement for one horse, but even more so for Pocket Power considering that in the 150-year history of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate no horse before this has won more than two years in succession.



The nature of this race, being over a mile and a weight for age event, also ensures that the competition is extremely tough each year and the best horse inevitably wins as opposed to handicap and condition races. This year Pocket Power is expected to face strong challenges from younger adversaries such as Past Master and the filly Mother Russia.


Kelso with trainer

The careers of Kelso and Pocket Power are remarkably similar, with Kelso winning the Horse of the Year title five times, and Pocket Power recently claiming his third Horse of the Year title.



Pocket Power trainer Mike Bass has confirmed that the horse has been in training for a month already in a bid to equal the world record.



A record crowd is expected to attend the January 8 race, which will play itself out against a distinguished backdrop of style and grace worthy of such a prestige event.



The R250 entrance for those 18 and older provides for an all-access pass, a race card for the day, a R20 betting voucher and access to the evening’s entertainment which includes Louise Carver, Zebra and Giraffe, Locnville, Gazelle and Crazy White Boy. Food and drink is not included. Entry is from 11h00 and tickets are available at Computicket and selected Vida E stores from 1 October 2010.

Jonathan Snaith

I've got goosebumps already...

Kelso`s Trainer Carl Hanford died yesterday aged 95

Kelso Tribute Video

Pocket Power will be a big draw card to get people to Kenilworth to watch the race.
The organisers are doing a good job by marketing this event....the tickets will be sold out long before race day.
Entertainment which includes Louise Carver, Zebra and Giraffe, Locnville, Gazelle and Crazy White Boy...well worth the price of R250.

Tero this is an old post, sorry

Thanks Scotia
Damn...I thought Pocket Power came out of retirement..pity.