JJ The Jet Plane was far from disapppointing in Jubilee

JJ The Jet Plane was far from disapppointing in Jubilee
by Mike De Kock

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I am back in South Africa for the build-up the Durban July which really is an interesting race this year. We might all be racing for second, but if the champion Pocket Power fluffs his lines you never know!

Our runners Forest Path, Bouquet-Garni and Zirconeum all drew wide, which will make the race so much tougher to win. Ipi Tombe and Greys Inn both won the July for us from wide draws, so did horses like Classic Flag and Dynasty. Whether we have a contender in that class remains to be seen, but we have three chances and we’ll gladly take it!

In touching on my experiences in the UK over the last few weeks, I was privileged to receive an invite to Bernard Kantor’s table at Epsom on Investec Derby Day, which must rate as one of my most pleasant racing experiences ever.

During the course of the day Bernard broke away for tea with Queen Elizabeth. I am sure that Her Majesty had much appreciation for the efforts of this South African-born “soldier’’ of business and racing who stepped up to the plate recently to sponsor one of the world’s greatest races.

South Africans are playing an increasingly bigger role on racing’s world stage and we’re being treated with much respect. Every little bit of marketing helps, every conversation opens a door somewhere which can only benefit our own industry in the long run.

Last week’s build-up to the Golden Jubilee provided for us publicity that money can’t buy. JJ The Jet Plane received extraordinary attention in the press. The British racing public were taken by his facile win at Windsor and were quite intrigued by his name – he became a topic of discussion in households around the UK.

As I said immediately after the race, JJ’s owners and I were pleased with his performance and we enjoyed the marvellous experience of being connected to one of the favourites during one of the premier weeks of global horseracing.

It irks me that there are people in the South African media and on the internet who have described JJ The Jet Plane’s run as ‘disappointing’. He acquitted himself very well and I believe we will see fireworks from him over a bit more ground.

For goodness sake, be patient! We will break the ice at Royal Ascot and elsewhere. Can you name all the South African-bred horses have who have actually won races in the UK, off the cuff? No, because only JJ The Plane will immediately spring to mind. South Africans seem to believe it is their right to win every time, all the time. But only those who have travelled to other racing jurisdictions will know how tough and competitive it is out there.

What gave us the right to regard JJ as a sure winner, anyway? If one takes former South African sprinter Seventh Rock as a line horse through Scenic Blast, you will see that JJ, on paper, is several lengths inferior to the Australian star and King’s Stand Stakes winner. JJ was no good thing by any stretch of the imagination.

I’ve noted before that sports enthusiasts in our country hate to lose, which is not a bad thing I guess, but they also have a habit of slating and mocking our sportsmen and women. We must learn to take it easy. Racing enthusiasts should start to travel and learn to read the outcome of races. Already we can give ourselves a pat on the back for making our presence felt in world racing. We will go all the way and we need steady support, not constant criticism.

Would you look at that champion!!!!!!!!! lean, mean, cut machine!