Pocket Power's ride?

Faydherbe's riding of Pocket Power can only be described as comically stupid or one for the books. I was on Big City Life so Im not talking from my wallet but why on earth would he have Pocket Power so far back in probably the hardest track in the country in which to make up ground?

It reminded me of the ride Bernard gave Dancer's Daughter in the Paddock Stakes earlier this year, quite simply a mind bogglingly stupid/criminal ride.

PP was running on like a steam train from a hopeless position, I really hope the owners send him overseas, he's got nothing left to prove...

Im sure Fayderbe would like to forget this July as quickly as possible,he gave the champion no chance,dreadfull ride anyhow these things happen in racing,and sadly for the connections im sure they could not have been more dissapointed,but im sure the mighty Pocket Power will be back.

I dont know so much, I wouldnt be surprised if Bernard had a nice little share in Glen Kotzens apparant immense winnings.

Conspiracy theorist crap maybe but I wouldn't put anything past these babies...

Now I cannot believe this bullshit!

How can you guys suggest such nonsense?

Bernard has gone down in turf history through his association with Pocket Power and he is part of the Bass and Shirtliff furniture.

You have no clue as to his financial nett worth(he has excellent financial advisers) and wouldn't get involved morally either in the sort of stuff you suggest.

Have to agree with Butch, Bernard must be gutted.

All I said was I wouldn't be surprised, I didnt say it was probable/likely there were any shanigans going on.

I don't know Bernard from a bar of soap so I probably shouldnt question his moralilty or ethics etc but this is a forum of opinions, however absurd or unlikely they may be.

I've seen many a bad ride from many a jock in a big race so I'll put it in that bracket but on the other hand I will never rule anything out in this game, I've heard too many dodgy stories to believe otherwise...

Agree Saksy that the game has a shady side, but we are talking more about glory and history than pure money when looking at the PP/Fayd'Herbe partnership. Bernard is no battler - to the contrary he is quite a cocky oke who is intelligent and talented.

I have never race ridden but when he was in that position how was he supposed to manouvre out of it without making a bigger arse of himself.?

Garth Puller summed it up on SABC when he said Bernard was in trouble '2000 m from home!'

Writing was on the wall, when 2 of Bass's horse were backed down and won, that punters were going to be out of "pocket"

Jockey seems to have ridden a very good race on Golden Parachute in the first...over 2400m, methinks it was the same jock on pocket.

The second of Bass's horse to win, was Diamond Quest, also backed from 8/1, which leads to another issue,around commentary.

Not sure if anyone else has picked this up, the emphasis on the winner's name long before the race is over, by Mr Natal Commentator...does this guy have "inside" info or what.

All of the 3 winners mentioned above were "called" by subjective commentary....tough luck for all those idiot punters out there, who study "form".

Oh, and one more thing, was it not the pocket jock who rode Big City Life on his previous win?...definitely no shennigans (read as graft), in this game.....who needs Lotto, where you have gauranteed winners..something which is mathematically impossible

Butch, you obviously have a personal relationship with Bernard so it's obviously hard for you to criticize impartially.

On the other hand its easy to throw comments from the sidelines, maybe I should have waited for some feedback, like maybe Pocket was unusually sluggish in the first part of the race, although based on his previous starts over the last year this seems unlikely.

My initial reaction to the race was that the jock effed up. I think that would be hard to argue against, but as the saying goes that's racing, the joke is I made significantly more with BCL winning than with Pocket!

PP was ridden in very similar fashion last year and got up to win and BF was hailed a great rider (which he is) July is notoriously a rough race and this year was no different...lets not miss the real story here the race was won by a True Champion and a horse that will give us much pleasure if we manage to to keep him in SA...well done to all connections wish i had the brains/balls to have been with you but just couldnt see past PP.....

How a race is run makes fools and heroes out of jockeys,unfortunately sometimes they have to sit and suffer and hope for the best...

Yep but Hibs when a sportsman stuffs up he's gotta take all the criticism on the chin, just like he gladly accepts all the applause when things go well.

Its still beyond me how the Pocket landed up at the back of the field, I havnt watched the start of the race again but from what I remember Pocket seemed to jump on terms. Even if he was a little slow Bernard should have got at him to get a decent position.

Titch I have watched last years race many times and Pocket was midfield going into the straight and already well on his way into catching the leaders, even then he only found the lead in last 50.

This year? Well the less said the better...