Pocket Power we salute you..by Leon Setaro

Pocket Power we salute you!



KZN racing takes a breather this weekend as all attention focuses on Cape Town for what must surely be the most anticipated J&B Met of all time. Not only are we to be entertained by an exceptionally strong field packed with the best South Africa has to offer, but the towering achievements of a once in-a-lifetime champion named Pocket Power, may soar to even greater heights should he emerge triumphant for a 4th consecutive time.

There’s little left still to say about Pocket Power, he is the greatest SA thoroughbred racehorse of modern times and it is perhaps fitting that one has to look as far back as his spectacular sire Jet Master, before finding a racehorse that has dominated the feature races for years on end as he has. Jet Master looked every inch a superstar on any given race day canter past, a 17 hand high powerhouse monster that simply dwarfed everything in his path, and he went on to win 17 races in a career hampered along by breathing problems. Whilst his mighty son is unlikely to draw any gasps in the looks department, this is no beauty contest and Pocket Power recently surpassed the 17 win mark now sitting on 18 and ready for 19 in the Met. As with his old man, he’s had to do it the hard way and on tenderhooks; feet problems have been his regular companion for most of his racing tenure. Nevertheless, he remains undefeated around the Kenilworth turn where he’s churned out 11 graded victories alone, including 4 consecutive Queen’s plates, 3 consecutive J&B Mets and the 4th all but in the bag come tomorrow afternoon when racing fans around the world will cheer him along. Win or lose, Pocket Power we salute you!

With racing journalists furiously working at ways to do justice to this occasion of fairytale proportion, there is much to read about J&B Met day and all the pomp and splendor offered by Cape Town’s showcase event. Visit Interbet’s horse racing and sports betting community page on Facebook to access all the news and views from a single location.Interbet on Facebook


Podcasting on a roll with salad..

Interbet’s podcaster supremo James Goodman will be guiding us through Met day with his analysis of the form and where the money-making lies. If you listened in to his show for yesterday’s meeting at Greyville then you’ll find yourself heading into the J&B with pockets ripping off at the seams because Goodman was on the ball once again. His best bet on the card was Danish Silver who scored at R6.50 a win on the Tote, and his spot on analysis of the first race was right there to back it all up because he was equally confident when predicting a clear cut two horse race, and that’s how it panned out producing an exacta payout of R7.70 in the process. Climb aboard his winning streak and follow trainer James Goodman on Interbet by listening to his free podcast available on the Interbet trading screen (see image below) and on Facebook.


Look for this button on the Interbet trading screen which will take you straight to the audio preview podcast for Kenilworth tomorrow.


Having looked through the betting available on the Interbet exchange, there’s some seriously tempting meat on the Met braai, particularly in the ‘fixed odds place betting’ arena where Blue Tiger is currently on offer at 14/1 to finish in the first 4 (see screenshot). What’s interesting with Blue Tiger and also promises to provide the extra edge needed to get him into the fray against the best of the best, is that he tries this distance for the first time. Notoriously difficult to settle for most of his career, he’s been confined almost exclusively to sprinting and has only once ventured out into ‘stayer’ territory. That was in the grade1 Champion’s Cup over 1800m at Clairwood last year where he finished forth, only a neck behind 2nd placed Pocket Power. Although Blue Tiger has put together an impressive record over the minimum trips against grade1 opposition, he looks nothing like a sprinter with his small and slim frame which gives the impression he will have no problem in the stamina department. He comes into the race with good preparatory form and if things go his way and he settles in a handy position, it will be no surprise to see him seize an early advantage turning for home and stay on to finish in the money. KZN jockey Stuart Randolph takes the ride for Mike Bass - 14/1 is looking good.



For a quick view into the Interbet place betting market, check out the ‘best place’ column on the main trading screen. Here Blue Tiger is on offer at 150/1 to win, and 14/1 to finish in the first 4 as shown by the B:14/1 highlighted. The L:18/1 refers to a ‘bet request’ where a punter/s have placed a request for a stretch to 18/1. To view and/or wager bets in the fixed odds place market, click on the ‘show places’ button (highlighted) at the top of the screen.


Interbet has launched their new video tutorial set on how to use the Interbet website. Select the subject you require from the right hand side of the trading screen (link buttons in orange pictured) to access the applicable demo.

Cheers Leon

July or Met day whats your favourite?