JACKSON vs POLITICIAN...

Don't know if Jackson stays in S.A or not but comparing his bad run to that of the great Politician who also failed in his attempt to win the Rothmans July as a 3 yr old. And Polly had most impressive credentials coming into the July of '77.

He had travelled to Cape Town to contest the Guineas over 1600mts, a distance a bit on the short side on the tight Milnerton near-bend.However in one of the most thrilling and memorable finishes he got up in the shadow of the post to deny the two hot-shots, the Cape favorite Flybynight and Big Swinger who was airlifted to the race from JHB.

The Cape Derby was a formality and back in Durban Polly won the S.A.Guineas impressively.Coming into the July with a light weight of 52.5kgs Polly was hot favorite but could only finish 5th to Lightning Shot.

Politician went on to contest the Holiday Inns or Summer Cup where he ran 3rd.However when back in the Cape, he resumed winning ways with a great win in the Met.

If Jackson stays in S.A., the MET looks tailor-made for him to contest again as favorite.

HIS NO SUPERSTAR JACKSON,THE JULY IS THE LEVELER OF THE GREATS,THE GOODS AND THE GEESE......JACKSON IS JUST GOOD,NOTHING GREAT

Politician was never beaten in the Cape and definitely one of the all-time greats having won the Guineas and the Cape Derby, then the Queens Plate and the MET two years in succession.

Jackson so far only unbeaten over the bend in the Cape so Polly a tough act to follow.

Politician at his best over 1600m but still brilliant up to 2000m. Never beaten over 1600m or in the Cape. July too far but still managed to win it later in his career. Champion!

Craig, do you have Politician's detailed win record in the Cape. I'm sure there was a win in the Somerset Plate?

write this horse off at your perel - he was not able to settle - the way this horse won the DNews was special -

I will try and find it for you Mikesack.

The July is *not* a "leveller"... It is a race that requires absolutely everything to go right for the horse, on the day. Draws, weights, pace, no "traffic" and a LOT of luck. The false rail was a disaster - I cannot fathom the decision to move it inwards by 7m for the main race. The turf was in poor condition because they had decided to race a meeting there a week before. And then there is the noise. The horses are very thrown by the noise. It's like nothing they have ever heard in their lives. So when all the "planets" are in alignment for you, then you have a chance of winning. And on the day, each horse has a different set of "planets" that are in place for them. Pomodoro's jockey outsmarted and outwitted them from his draw. He had a good horse under him, a delivered the goods. But don't write Jackson off too soon, the best is still to come from this colt, believe me!

One of the first lessons I was taught in racing is this :

1.) When there is a blanket finish contested by outsiders you can usually draw a line through the race for future form studying purposes. The 2012 July MAY prove to be a classic example of this theory.

2.) You cannot write off a horse based on one run.

3.) MIKESACK - you will find what you are looking for on ARO - Action Racing Online.

4.) There is a tendency on this site to get carried away by one performance or alternatively one non-performance. A year ago some over enthusiastic posters were yelling - Bring On Frankel! after Igugu won the July. Now that's cringeworthy. Clearly too many locals spend too much time slavering over Vaal sand racing as they appear unable to differentiate between good horses and soupmeat.

5.) Dees lapsed into the usual inevitable nonsense after the Garden Province - spewing the usual 'world class' claptrap when describing the Princess Victoria.

I would prefer it if he would leave that type of hyperbole until after she notches up a win at Ascot or Goodwood - at which point I would be amongst the first to acknowledge her worthy status.

Well put Garrick, spot on. (tu)

Interesting to note that Jackson won the POLITICIAN STAKES over 1800m at Kenilworth.
His first Listed Feature race victory.