MET Final Declaration 11:00 Monday 21 January 2013

I thought Jackso flattened out in the queens plate,looked like he was going to run a mahooosive race when he pulled out for his run but intruth he just matched some similar classy staying types to the line...

By David Thiselton

Gavin van Zyl, speaking in Cape Town last Thursday, was happy with the run of his J&B Met contender Slumdogmillionaire in last Saturday’s L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate over 1600m at Kenilworth and especially pleased with the way he took the run.



He was also pleased with the run of his other Met entry Bulsara.



“Most of the runners burst through the stalls once due to the false start, but Slumdogmillionaire actually went through the stalls twice as he broke through before the false start,” said Van Zyl. “He was slow away in the second start otherwise I think he might have finished a bit closer, so it was a good run considering the trip was on the sharp side for him.”



The four-year-old Strike Smartly colt sat in midfield on the rail after being chased up from his pole position draw and turned for home about four or five lengths off them.



He chased hard, but was clearly a bit outpaced.



However, he began making strong inroads late in the race to finish just 3,1 lengths behind the winner Variety Club.



“After his previous run in the Christmas Handicap, he was a bit jarred up and we had to give him one or two days off,” said Van Zyl. “But this time he pulled up much better, so will now have an uninterrupted prep until the Met.”



Slumdogmillionaire had a forced nine month absence from the races after his gallant win in the Grade 1 SA Classic over 1800m at Turffontein last March as it was discovered he had a small bone chip in one fetlock that required surgery.



The bay colt has clearly recovered well from the operation.



Bulsara turned for home behind Slumdogmillionaire in the Queen’s Plate and stayed on well for a 3,75 length eighth.



Van Zyl said he had also come out of the race well and added, “He finished fifth in the (Vodacom Durban) July two years ago when carrying nearly 2kg overweight, so should have no problem with the trip.”



Van Zyl is taking care of the horses himself at the Milnerton training centre.

Party Line Wrote:

---

> K.O.P has got to be crying out for the trip. His
> racing style and ped. suggest that the 2000m is
> right up his alley. No Grp.1 penalty.
> Receiving 7kg's must have a
> chance.


imo.....a horse that is looking for more ground put needs the pace on is KOP.....this is a stayer in the making.....but those notorious Cape crawls will undo his form and make him look very ordinary

....posted this on his last run.....

Gallops then draw today

Gallops about to sta rt now!

Looked a decent gallop by Jackson

The final Draws for the J&B Met:

Dr Horse
1 SLUMDOGMILLIONAIRE
2 FABIANI
3 IN WRITING (ARG)
4 MASTER PLAN
5 JACKSON
6 BRAVURA
7 BULSARA
8 POMODORO
9 BLACK WING
10 ICE MACHINE
11 BEACH BEAUTY
12 TRIBAL DANCE
13 KING OF PAIN
14 HILL FIFTY FOUR
15 MARTIAL EAGLE
16 RUN FOR IT

Winners Circle interview with Sean Tarry

hibernia Wrote:

---

> I thought Jackso flattened out in the queens
> plate,looked like he was going to run a mahooosive
> race when he pulled out for his run but intruth he
> just matched some similar classy staying types to
> the line...


Had not seen this but was saying exctly that to Tigershark the other day .... :S ..not sure what to make of it, but to me both his last two starts lacked that usual kick (and spark) at the business end.

Jackson has movie star looks but the flat run in the July & how he pulled up after the QP worries me, he has the ability to win the MET by 2 lenghts but which horse is going to pitch up on the day.

Once again, i think Master Plan is the value E/W & i am happy to lose my money backing him:)

Brett Crawford is a very good trainer. He has proven it over the years. He will have Jackson spot on for the big race. I won't be surprised if he bags 2 of the big races.