Pocket Power will make his much anticipated return to the track on Sunday where eight entries have been accepted in the pinnacle stakes over 1450 meters at Clairwood.  Although a distance far short of his best the Bass stable are confident he is far enough forward in his prep to give a very good account of himself here, reports Mike from Durban.

“Pocket is doing very well and he is coming along very nicely up here. He has had two grass gallops at Clairwood and I feel he is quite advanced in his preparation for this season. He will run well on Sunday but Charlie’s runner Our Giant is better suited to this trip and will surely be the horse to beat. Regardless of the outcome this will be the perfect race to bring him on for the features ahead”

Also running in this event are African Appeal and Bill Of Rights, who will have their first pipe openers for the season and will both be desperately in need of their runs.

Greyville 1900

Friday night sees the running of the Betting World Greyville 1900, where the yard sends three runners to post. Historically this race is a last chance to impress the selectors to make the July final line up. Judged Excellent is however not one trying to impress the judges but comes in as probably our best chance at the weights. The son of Jallad owned by the Jaffee’s has always shown great ability and put up a game finish  in his first run at Greyville over 1900 two weeks back just getting touched off. The son of Jallad will have a relatively light weight to shoulder and despite a poor draw of 12, should be a big runner. He is working exceptionally well, has the services of Anthony Delpech and is possibly the pick of our three runners.

Air Combat drew pole position so we decided to take our chances here. He is a capable sort when he decides to put his best foot forward although the trip may be a bit testing for him. Gavin Lerena should get the best out of him and we are hoping for a good effort from this son of Jet Master.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe takes the ride on Thundering Jet. He was a little one paced in his KZN debut over 1400m and this trip should also suit him better. With a top weight and a  poor draw of 17 to overcome he will have his work cut out, but he  has proven himself amongst similar company and if things go his way he may well have a good money chance.

Judged Excellent

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On Friday we will be sending up Golden Parachute from our Cape yard. He is a useful stayer and we will try and qualify him for the Derby at the end of June.

Consensual has taken her race well after finishing a close up third in the Fillies Guineas. She may have just needed it in the closing stages but we were pleased to see her put up a strong performance and we can now head into the Woolavington with a lot more confidence but unfortunately a wide draw.

The filly, River Jetez is doing very well and we are thinking of running her next Wednesday in a conditions race for fillies over 1450m. The Gold Challenge will be her penultimate start before the July and so she will be tracking the same route towards Africa’s richest as her more notorious brother Pocket Power.