Super Storm runs for Super Mike

MIKE  Bass has one contender for the J&B Met over 2000m at Kenilworth on Saturday, Super Storm, but looks unlikely to add another winner to his prolific record in this race, although the yard do have chances in other races on the day.

Bass has won four of the last five running’s of the big race courtesy of the great three-time Met winner Pocket Power and his full sister River Jetez, while he also ran one-two in 2001 with Bunter Barlow and Trademark.

Super Storm, a five-year-old Rakeen gelding, finished a 3,25 length third to Chesalon in the Premier Trophy on the same terms as the Met and then stayed on well for a 2,85 length fifth in the Peninsula Handicap.

The Peninsula is also a race that does not produce Met winners and he is also widely drawn.

He will be distance suited and if he runs a blinder like he did in the Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1800m at Greyville when a 1,25 length third to The Apache on similar terms as here, he could place.

Bass’s four-year-old Western Winter filly Covenant will defend her Grade 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes crown over 1600m.

Bass said, “She doesn’t stay a true mile and everything went right for her in the race last year which enabled her to get it.”

This year Covenant is drawn eight as opposed to pole position last year, so will have her work cut out, but she is in fine form and can’t be discounted at her favourite track at what appears to be her favourite time of the year. 

The yard also have Politician Stakes runner up Solar Captain in the Grade 1 Investec Cape Derby over 2000m, but were not too bullish about his chances of winning considering he now faces Jackson on 3kg worse terms for a 2,25 length beating.

Bass’ most bullish comments were about his pair in the first, Cherbourg and Jet Into The Wind, as well as Brown Penny in the fourth and Jet Lady in the ninth.

He said, “I think Jet Into The Wind will start favourite and Cherbourg will win. Cherbourg found himself a bit out of his ground last time.”

Cherbourg goes into Saturday’s race over the same 1400m trip as last time with a nice light weight and a fair draw, while Jet Into The Wind is drawn in pole over the course and distance of his last win, but on the downside he is now six points higher in the merit ratings.

The yard said about Brown Penny, who is one of five Bass runners in the fourth, a MR 103 Handicap over 1600m, “The slow pace followed by a sprint for home didn’t suit him in the Peninsula (2,35 length fourth to Polar Bound) and he has a nice weight here and is drawn in pole. He’s a big runner.”

Brown Penny’s last win came over 1600m on Vodacom Durban July day at Greyville from a good draw.

Jet Lady runs in the ninth, a fillies and mare MR84 Handicap over 2000m and the yard said, “She is better than her form suggests. She is looking for the trip and was a bit unlucky last time as she was squeezed. At the weights she has a good each/way chance.”

Bass also felt that his pair Monsieur Dupont and Kambrook, who run in the eighth, a MR 96 Handicap over 1200m, would “definitely be thereabouts.”

He regarded Thanks John and Komatipoort as having the best chances of his five runners in the Grade 2 J&B Reserve Stayers over 2800m.  - David Thiselton.

Photo: Super Storm (nearest camera), beats Brown Penny at Clairwood in June 2011.