Dynasty’s smart son Power King takes his next step to Cape Winter Triple Crown glory on Saturday
The Cape Winter Series is the platform that launched a legend eight years ago. Pocket Power won three Mets, a July and four Queen’s Plates. That is more than the majority of racehorses could hope to achieve in five lifetimes. The R250 000 Gr3 Winter Classic run over 1800m at Kenilworth on Saturday presents the Silvano colt Power King with his big chance to take his own next step to glory.
Dean Kannemeyer’s charge won the first leg of the R1 million Winter Series Triple Crown when he scored an emphatic victory on 4 May in the Gr3 Winter Guineas.
He has a long way to go to emulate the feats of Pocket Power but he looks to hold most of the field and he should relish the extra 200m, despite the fact that the shorter run in of the winter course may not be entirely his cup of tea.
Incentive
A bonus of R250 000 will be paid to owner of the horse that wins all three legs of the Winter Series , and Power King is the only one in line to win that bonus. A win for him here would set up an exciting climax in the R250 000 Gr3 Winter Derby which will be run over 2400m on Saturday 28 June.
Credentials
Our top rated choice, Power King certainly has the credentials, and lines up here with much the same low key credentials as the great Pocket Power did all those years ago. Power King was rated a colt with classic pretensions and his fifth to Elusive Gold in the Guineas and rotten luck in the Derby underlined the likelihood of him maturing into a decent racehorse.
His sweeping late burst on sticky ground to win the Winter Guineas was a workmanlike performance and he looks likely to repeat the feat over the extra 200m here. Even with the curved ball of the shorter straight, It is difficult seeing anything turning the tables on him.
Big Run
Glen Puller’s Reim ran out of his skin as a one time winner in the Winter Guineas when showing for a long way and then coming back for more to be beaten 1,50 lengths by Power King. The son of Ashaawes has received accolades of note from the handicapper and went from an MR of 70 to 90 after that!
He may have been flattered by the give in the ground, but there is every chance he will get the same on Saturday and it will be interesting to observe whether he maintains his improvement.
Snaith Quartet
Justin Snaith sends out four runners and it will be a treat for local punters to have Piere Strydom in town, particularly with major racing taking place at Greyville on the same afternoon.
Vice Admiral showed up for a long way in the Winter Guineas but also plodded late when an undistinguished 4,25 length third in the Guineas.
He registered both his wins in PE and will have to show good improvement to take on Power King. Striker rides Paolo, who was a well beaten 5,40 lengths in the Winter Guineas. He tries 1800m for the first time and has the minor advantage of the 1 draw. And the jockey, of course.
Derby Runner Up
Glenton ran a solid second to Desert Swirl in the East Cape Derby a fortnight ago. The son of Jallad had every chance but was outstayed by the dogged winner and may prefer the 1800m here.
His earlier form was not bad and a 1,65 length third to Futura four runs back may well have flattered him slightly but could also been an indication of what he is capable of.
Gauteng jockey Sherman Brown is another visitor and he rides the Australian bred Matador In Red, who skipped the Guineas and tries 1800m for the first time. A two time winner from 12 starts, his breeding indicates he should handle the test.
Stan Elley’s Dynastic Power was a bit one paced when plodding late for fourth in the Winter Guineas. He is well held by Power King on that, but looks a progressive sort.
Marginals
Vodacom Durban July entry Helderberg Blue is an enigmatic character. He comes into the reckoning purely on his 4,75 length fourth to Legislate in the Cape Derby and his general boom reputation from a powerful stable.
He has been gelded (a painful experience for a beautifully bred R2,8 million purchase) and will be expected to start improving again after a quiet 1400m pipe opener at his last start. Piet Steyn’s Friendly Tibbs took 11 runs to win his maiden, but has come good winning two handicaps at his last two starts.
He beat Zingzilla going away last time and has a solid turn of foot. He must be a reasonable place prospect. Paddy Kruyer’s Global Destiny ran fifth and 4,85 lengths behind in the Guineas. He won over 2000m at his previous start at Durbanville, but beat little of note and looks well held.
The King Of Kenilworth
The dual SA Horse Of The Year Pocket Power remains forever the poster boy of the Cape Winter Series. He is the only horse to have achieved the Triple Crown, which he did in 2006. Pocket Power was from the first crop of ill fated Champion sire Jet Master, who was also a Champion racehorse in his own right. Jet Master retired to stud in 2001 with eight Gr1 wins to his credit and has sired 24 individual Group One winners.
Pocket Power and his illustrious little sister, River Jetez, are from the Prince Florimund mare Stormsvlei. Pocket Power was Jet Master’s most outstanding son . The unforgettable gelding won 20 times with nine Gr1 titles – one better than his father. Among those were an astonishing four Queen’s Plates, three Mets and a Durban July. A R190 000 yearling, he earned more than R10 Million in stakes earnings.
Pocket Power’s ascent to fame began at the 2004 Cape Sales, when the late Terry Silcock picked him out for Marsh Shirtliff, a Cape Town-based businessman with an enduring passion for the game. The youngster was acquired from his breeder, Zandvliet Stud. In making the purchase, Marsh Shirtliff outbid PE based Arthur Webber and his wife Rina. The Webbers later approached Shirtliff’s trainer, Mike Bass, to ask if a partnership in the horse might be considered.
Happily, the couple secured a third share in Pocket Power and Arthur Webber later admitted that the horse had changed their lives. In the winter of 2006, Pocket Power won the Winter Series. He is still the only horse to achieve the feat. Like a good red wine from the farm of his birth, he matured throughout his career and the 2008/2009 season proved to be something of a vintage one for the then six year old.
He won the Green Point Stakes (Gr2) and was impressive with a close second to Blue Tiger in the Diadem Stakes (Gr2) over just 1200m, before winning the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate for an unprecedented third year in a row. He achieved the Met hat trick when beating his old adversary Dancer’s Daughter by a quarter length in the 2009 running of the Cape’s big one. Travelling to Durban for another tilt at Champions Season, he was to beat Stan Elley’s Kapil to win the Gr1 Gold Challenge.
He then won the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate for an unbelievable fourth time on 9 January 2010, before registering his last ever victory in the Gr2 Green Point Staked at his home ground on 20 November 2010. He retired having twice been crowned SA Horse Of The Year and bowed out after an unplaced run in the 2011 Met. The now 12yo is enjoying a well deserved pension with the Haytreads in Constantia and within a walk of the scene of some of his greatest achievements.
