Owner Hassen Adams and jockey Gerrit Schlechter warned throughout the summer that they had a J & B Met horse in Past Master (SAF). Trainer Darryl Hodgson never says anything, but he went about his business prepping his stable star for his big date with destiny. And it all came together perfectly on the day as the classy son of Jet Master (SAF) hit the front at the right time to win the 2011 edition of the Cape's premier race. Favourite Mother Russia (SAF) ran on for second ahead of Run For It (SAF) and Tales Of Bravery (SAF).
The early scenes were somewhat farcical as, in the absence of a genuine pacemaker in the race, Tales Of Bravura and Bravura - both of whom had to rush up to beat a wide draw - founds themselves at the head of affairs. Two more reluctant leaders could scarcely be imagined as they were forced to share the lead ahead of Mother Russia, who took up the box seat on the rails. Past Master travelled easily alongside the favourite in fourth, but the sight of Run For It, a horse who often sits at the tail end of the field, sitting hard-held in fifth told its own story. Last Regal and Flirtation, raced alongside Run For It with Pocket Power next best, just four lengths off the lead.
Tales Of Bravery and Bravura both tried to quicken at the top of the straight but the latter soon came under pressure. Tales Of Bravery kept going, though as Past master was sent after him. Mother Russia was poised to strike but needed to find a way between these two while, wider out, Run For It was the only one who liked likely to get in a blow.
Tales Of Bravery continued to run the race of his life up front but finally gave way to Past Master as that one scooted past about 200m. Mother Russia had to switch outwards and finally saw daylight. She started the chase but Past Master always had her measure and he kept up his gallop all the way to the line for a famous win.
How Past Master was allowed to go off as long as 15/1 (at R20, he paid even more on the Tote) is something of a mystery. The 4-year-old has always looked a class act, dating back to his Selangor Cup victory last season, and he had shown his ability when dropping back in trip to beat the sprinters at their own game in the Diadem Stakes two runs back. He had been somewhat disappointing when only managing sixth in the Queens Plate, but his connections were always transparent about using that race as a prep for the Met itself. Sceptics will question whether he sees out a fast-run 2000m and there's no doubt that he's always looked more of a miler, in which case the slow pace today certainly played right into his hands. Having said that, he has a high cruising speed and a serious turn of foot and there's no reason why he could not have turned it on anyway in a more true-run contest. Past Master is relatively lightly-raced and he has any number of options open to him. Having spent ten months off the track with injury, he joins a list of top class horses such as Jungle Warrior, Pas De Quoi and Surfing Home who came back from injury to fulfil their early potential in the Met.
Mother Russia looked well set halfway through the race, as she had a perfect position and the slow pace would have suited her as she is best over a mile. However, the gap did not open immediately in the straight and she could not quicken away from them as had happened in the Queens Plate. By the time she did get going, Past Master was in full cry and she was never going to get to him after that. It was another honest effort from the daughter of Windrush, however, and she is another one with plenty of options, especially with the Highveld autumn season coming up.
Run For It ran a cracker as he was one of the horses most affected by the lack of early pace. He's the type who needs to quicken from well off them and any chance he had of winning has probably disappeared long before they entered the straight. All things considered, he turned in a top effort to get as close as he did and there was a lot to like about how he kept on galloping all the way to the line.
Tales Of Bravery was gallant in fourth and emerged with plenty of credit. He was forced to make the running from a poor draw and stayed on well enough under pressure to confirm that he is very much at home in this sort of company. Taken in conjunction with his second in the Queens Plate, he's had a good summer season and enhanced his reputation.
Pocket Power was having his last race and any hopes of even getting a place were probably dashed by the way the race was run. He came under a ride early in the straight and never got in a blow. He has nothing left to prove, though, and while his fans would have been sad to be denied a fairytale ending, he leaves the track as a living legend and one of the greatest horses ever to race in this country.
4 b g Jet Master - Early Thaw by Western Winter (USA) Owner: Mr H Adams
Bred by Hyjo Stud Close Corporation
Winning trainer: Darryl Hodgson
KW405 - Race 7 - R2.5M - JandB MET (Grade 1)
Open - 2000m
