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

It looked very slow indeed, greg. Most unexpected, I must add.

Well done to the connections of Cappoquin EAGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

well done Jess / Roy on Capoquin, I got some nice doubles / trebles going onto big T tomorrow.

Cuckoo' in the Colony. well done old chap

Shock defeat for SA legend Pocket Power

Report: South Africa, Saturday

Clairwood: Champions Cup (Grade 1) 1m1f, turf

SOUTH African legend Pocket Power suffered a shock defeat at the hands of 25-1 shot Ivory Trail in the Champions Cup at Clairwood on Saturday.

Bernard Fayd'herbe quickly nudged the 1-3 hotpot into a handy position just behind the leaders and, leaving nothing to chance, started riding early in the straight.

His mount looked sure to win when he hit the front a furlong and a half out but close home he seemed to think he had done enough.

Pocket Power didn't see Ivory Trail - brought with a sustained run from well back and three wide by Raymond Danielson - until the last few strides and he went under by a head. Last year's winner Buy And Sell was third.

The winner is trained by Joey Ramsden, stepson of former Thirsk trainer Linda Ramsden.

The gelding was led in by Ramsden's wife Fee who, as Fiona Haynes, won the 1990 Newmarket Town Plate on Peche D'Or.

Ramsden said: "No, this wasn't a surprise because I thought Ivory Trail had a chance.

"I also thought he would run well in the Gold Challenge last time but he lost a shoe which was a reasonable excuse on firm ground.

"The Champions Cup is one of these silly conditions races where we get nearly 8lb from Pocket Power and it often produces a funny result."

Also on Saturday

Clairwood: Premier's Champion Stakes (Grade 1) 1m, turf, 2yo

Exhilaration, his tongue lolling out to one side, showed guts aplenty to hold off the sustained challenge of Bulsara in what is traditionally one of the most significant two-year-old races of the season.

Anton Marcus, riding the Captain Al colt for the first time, sent him on a furlong and a half from home and the 22-10 shot dug deep to win by a head.

Trainer Dominic Zaki said: "This horse has been top class from day one and I rate him highly. Please God he stays sound and then we will go a long way."

Mike de Kock's 9-5 favourite Solid Choice did himself no favours by sweating up before the start. He had every chance but could find no more from a furlong out and was beaten into third.

Check home page!

His mount looked sure to win when he hit the front a furlong and a half out but close home he seemed to think he had done enough.

Pocket Power didn't see Ivory Trail - brought with a sustained run from well back and three wide by Raymond Danielson - until the last few strides and he went under by a head. Last year's winner Buy And Sell was third

Ambiguous report. Did the jock ride the horse out or not.

Yes, he rode PP out.

A bit from the peanut gallery.
PP has not shown himself to be a 121 horse for some time now. Most races at level weights, and winning. It was only a matter of time when a good horse like Ivory trail, much closer in the handicap to him, would really challenge and pip the champ. False rating...much closer to a 116 I believe. Check all his races recently and check the placed runners' ratings and weight. Too much was made of his "just doing enough to win" style.

you now what peanut, i agree.

Whats his best trip now?

Methinks...looking at his style of racing...2200-2400 could well be his best, although shorter distances should still not be a problem. He is clearly the best horse in the country over 1600-2400 and could still win his fair share at level weights.