Previews of Grade 1 races at Clairwood on Saturday, July 25

Previews of Grade 1 races at Clairwood on Saturday, July 25

CHAMPIONS CUP GRADE 1
SELECTIONS:
1 POCKET POWER
6 TROPICAL EMPIRE
10 ALUMINIUM
7 SURFIN USA

The champion is back to recoup our July losses for us. NO 1 POCKET POWER is a very confident selection to win. The Jet Master gelding was not seen to good effect in the July but was not disgraced when finishing fifth, a couple of lengths behind Big City Life and with a couple of his opponents here further back. POCKET POWER is much better suited to the left-handed turn and longer straight of Clairwood and is very well in at the weights. The danger, if any, can come from NO 6 TROPICAL EMPIRE. Since joining the yard of Duncan Howells this Australian import has done really well and in the July appeared to move up dangerously, though he did not maintain the effort. There is a chance that the distance of 2200m did not suit him and this 1800m trip may see him to better effect. NO 10 ALUMINIUM did not cope well with his wide draw in the July and this free-striding Argentinian import looks set to improve on that and is capable of finishing in the placings. NO 7 SURFIN USA is at his best over this course and distance and with master jock Piere Strydom aboard needs to be considered. The rest of the field look well held. A big bet on THE POCKET is advised.

THEKWINI FILLIES STAKES GRADE 1
SELECTIONS:
7 MY KAZZIE
1 ALL AFIRE
5 GIVE ME FIVE
6 LAVERNA

This is the last Grade 1 for two-year-old fillies this season and is a much more testing and open event than it might at first appear. Fancied fillies MY KAZZIE , ALL AFIRE and GIVE ME FIVE renewing their rivalry of the Golden Slipper at Greyville on July day. That race had a bit of a false feel about it as NO 1 ALL AFIRE was allowed to get over from a wide draw and set a relaxed and slow pace, making all. While a repeat is possible, it isn’t likely. Expect the Mike Azzie-trained NO 7 MY KAZZIE to reverse the form. But others in the race are also capable of winning. NO 5 GIVE ME FIVE won her first two outings well, including the Allan Robertson, and she should be forgiven her latest. The Mike de Kock-trained NO 6 LAVERNA has improved with each outing and has at least had a look at this left-hand bend so needs to be included in all permutations. Others in with a winning chance appear to be NO 2 ASHJAAN, NO 10 ROSETTE, NO 12 TREE OF PERFECTION and NO 13 TRICIA’S SPUR


PREMIERS CHAMPION STAKES GRADE 1
SELECTIONS:
10 SOLID CHOICE
5 EXHILERATION
1 AUGUST RUSH
11 WINTERS NIGHT



Trainer Mike de Kock has been blessed with a couple of very smart two-year-old colts. He would probably rather have had the impressive MUSIR running here but has a very capable back-up in the form of Australian-bred NO 10 SOLID CHOICE. Although badly drawn in the Golden Horseshoe on July day, he ran on very well and a good draw here and the longer straight could bring out the best in him. The Dominic Zaki-trained and Anton Marcus-ridden NO 5 EXHILERATION was a couple of lengths ahead of Solid Choice when runner-up to Villandry in the Golden Medallion, but the longer distance might see a reversal of that form – but it’s no certainty and Exhileration deserves the utmost respect. NO 2 AUGUST RUSH set too quick a pace in the abovementioned Golden Horseshoe and one can’t but feel he will run a much better race here. NO 11 WINTERS NIGHT was also disappointing in that race and a better run is also expected.
- Ryan Roberts

racingpost.com

DUAL Horse of the Year Pocket Power has what could be his last race before heading for Dubai in the Champions Cup at Clairwood on Saturday.

South Africa's number one racehorse is on a double retrieval mission after his expensive defeat in the Durban July three weeks ago - and after his defeat by Buy And Sell in this race last year.

Pocket Power is long odds-on with the local bookmakers but trainer Mike Bass has concerns about his champion being drawn 11 of 14 at a track where low numbers have an advantage.

"The Durban July didn't go his way," said Bass. "That's happened before and I'm the last one to moan about it. He took that run very well and he's in good shape but again he's badly drawn."

The Milnerton trainer has three other runners and one at least could ensure there is no repeat of the poor pace that contributed to Pocket Power's downfall at Greyville.

The trio includes the 2007 winner African Appeal.

Bass, a keen golfer, said: "This will probably be the last race of his career and I would like to see him do a Tom Watson. But I doubt it very much."

Sean Tarry is expecting a big run from Buy And Sell, even though the five-year-old disappointed in the July.

Tarry said: "His prep has been basically identical to last year and I think he may be a little bit better now. It's Pocket Power everybody has to beat but we have an outstanding chance."

Mike de Kock sends out the only three-year-old, Port Of Dubai, and assistant trainer Nathan Kotzen reported: "he is an honest little horse and his work has been brilliant."

Also on Saturday

Clairwood: Thekwini Fillies Stakes (Grade 1) 1m, turf, 2yo fillies (1.55pm BST, live on TurfTV)

All Afire and My Kazzie, first and second in the Golden Slipper at Greyville three weeks ago, clash again over a furlong further in the Thekwini Fillies Stakes.

Alec Laird had expressed reservations about running All Afire from her outside draw and over 1m, and his filly has drifted in the ante-post market.

My Kazzie on the other hand has hardened to 9-5 favourite. Trainer Mike Azzie has always maintained that the extra distance will be in her favour.

Give Me Five was heavily backed when a disappointing tenth in the Golden Slipper and it could well be significant that Sean Tarry has decided to take on the first two again.

Clairwood: Premier's Champion Stakes (Grade 1) 1m, turf, 2yo (2.30pm BST, live on TurfTV)

Solid Choice, beaten nearly four lengths when fourth to star stable companion Musir in the Golden Horseshoe three weeks ago, has been well backed for thisimportant two-year-old test.

The Australian-bred is held in high regard by Mike de Kock, who won this with Rocks Off 12 months ago and Kildonan in 2006.

Exhilaration has also been supported and could challenge Solid Choice for favouritism. Dominic Zaki's colt has never been further back than second in four starts and Anton Marcus rides him for the first time.

Good racing today, could be a day for the punters?

call up, raihana, marlene de lago and pocket power all short and all hot.

plus my kazzie

good punting

scotia

Probably means nothing, but take a look at Pocket Power's form from wide draws.

Last 12 runs:
From single figure draws he's won 7 from 8.
From double figure draws he's lost 4 from 4.

I'm hoping he changes that trend.

Littleredcorvette for the placings?

Two year old races: Put ALL the names in a hat a pick?

Swinger: PP x Aluminium

Best Bet: Raihana in the second

Best Eachway today: Via Della in the 6th

Double: First Impression/Cool Spender

Good luck

Promises to Keep and Cocoa Beach both chances today

I'll go with All Afire, Exhilaration and Pocket Power as my selections for the Gr1's.

Seemed a slow pace to me in the Champions or not?

Not a good day for the punters!

and it looked all so easy this morning.

Liberated to finish off the few punters that are somehow still standing