Pocket Power’s scintillating debut performance in Kwa-Zulu Natal, has shot the champion gelding to 7th on the current world rankings.

Dubai Duty Free winner, Gladiatorus was announced as the top ranked horse in the world, while the Mike De Kock trained Eagle Mountain was ranked 4th . Pocket Power joins the likes of the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and the Champion filly Rachel Alexandra, winner of this year’s Preakness Stakes in 7th position, just 6 points adrift.

After an unfortunate incident on Friday, where he cast his off fore shoe, taking part of his foot with it, there was worry that he may have been scratched for his prep run on Sunday. Our concerns were fortunately short lived after some handy farrier work, and went on to win his first outing in handsome style. Mike has requested a special mention on his website to farrier Mark Moody for his skilled repair job, as well as to Graeme Hawkins, racing director of Gold Circle, for his willingness to allow this extra race to be staged for his preparation.

From the break, the bay seemed to lose his footing slightly but recovered quickly, and Bernard settled him well off the pace while Drayton set a steaming gallop some 14 lengths ahead. At the 400m mark Our Giant moved up into contention while Pocket Power began his move up the centre. It took a quick niggle of the reins from Fayd’ Herbe for the Power to shift gears and once he hit cruise mode it looked race over as he coasted home untroubled and ears pricked. An unusually packed Clairwood, welcomed their horse into the winner’s enclosure with murmur’s chanting “the champ is back”

“He really has become the people’s horse” said a glowing Marsh Shirtliff in his post race interview while also paying tribute to Mike, comparing him to the likes of ‘Gandalf the wizard’, (as he is more affectionately known among the jockey fraternity.)

Equally elated were part owner’s Arthur and Rina Webber, who watched the race from their home in Port Elizabeth.

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Bill Of Rights ran a cracker in a distance way short of his best finishing just 2 lengths behind Pocket Power at level weights in 4th position. This being his first run in KZN after a layoff, and was a very positive indication that he too may be on course for a good season.

Post race news on Pocket Power is that he has pulled up sound after his run despite loosing a further hind shoe during the running.

The champ’s next appearance will be in the Gold Challenge on the 13th of June where he will bid for his 8th Group 1 victory and 16th career win.

Half brother to Valeta for Sale

The Mike Azzie trained Valeta took centre stage in the first Juvenile race of the afternoon. The daughter of the sensational sprinting sire Var from the Avontuur Stud is out of the group 1 winning mare Sarabande. Chesalon, her half brother by Fort Wood and her second foal, we purchased at the 2009 National Yearling Sale, and there is still a three quarter share available in him for R187 500 should anyone be interested.

Also available is a smart Jallad colt out of the Fort Wood mare Requista from the family of Pirates Gold. 100% of him is available for R300 000.

Please contact Mike should you be interested in any of the above mentioned yearlings.