The Gr 1 Champions Cup looked to be at the mercy of Pocket Power (SAF) but the hot favourite was edged out by outsider Ivory Trail (SAF) who got up in the last stride to land the 1800m headliner at Clairwood on Saturday. Buy And Sell (SAF) and Blue Tiger (SAF) were touched off into the minor placings in a very tight finish.

Many observers expected that one of the Mike Bass runners would ensure a decent gallop for Pocket Power, hence there was no surprise when stablemate Blue Tiger went out to make the running from Littleredcorvette, Road To Reason and Aluminium. He didn't exactly tear along, though, and the pace seemed to slow down conspicuously with Pirate's Gold, who had been midfield early on, rushing through to press the pacemaker. Pocket Power, who had broken well on this occasion, was eventually restrained to settle five lengths off the pace just head of Buy And Sell who raced on the rails. Ivory Trail was held up with Tropical Empire and Therealslimshady bringing up the rear.

Pirate's Gold tried to make a move as they entered the straight but Blue Tiger soon shook him off. Pocket Power was asked for his effort to the outside as Buy And Sell was also worked at to pick up his feet.

Pocket Power made up ground to join Blue Tiger in the lead but it was a steady effort, rather than his trademark burst of acceleration, that got him there. Blue Tiger was refusing to be brushed aside and Buy And Sell, who was looking in much more determined mood today, was running a big race as he almost drew alongside.

Pocket Power just got his head in front and looked set to finish his season on a high but Ivory Trail, who had been closing in ominously on the front three, roared into life in the last 100m and he got up to nose out Pocket Power on the line with a similar margin back to Buy And Sell while Blue Tiger was within half a length of the winner at the line.

Ivory Trail is certainly no slouch as he showed when putting together a nice winning sequence during the summer, culminating in an impressive win under top weight in the Peninsula Handicap over this trip. His two previous Gr 1 attempts had ended in complete failure, though, and he was understandably ignored in the betting here. Having said that, there were excuses for those poor big-race efforts and with things going his way today, he certainly rose to the occasion.

It was a pleasing end to the season for trainer Joey Ramsden, who has had a rather quiet winter here in KwaZulu-Natal by his usual standards, while jockey Raymond Danielson was notching up another Gr 1 for the season following his SA Classic victory a few months ago.

Inevitably, as always happens when a top horse is beaten unexpectedly, much of the post-race focus was on Pocket Power. Given the widespread expectation that was to be his final local start, prior to an international campaign, his legion of fans was understandably hoping he would  bow out on a high note but it wasn't to be. Many will blame the muddling pace at which the race was run and it certainly seemed as if they slowed it down in the middle stages. However, the final time posted up was an exceptionally quick 105.41 seconds, literally world-record territory, so this is a debate that may rage on for some time. To be fair to the old warrior, he is now rising seven and trainer Mike Bass has already conjured up miracles from his charge, given the well-documented problems he has had with his legs. Horses are not machines and Bass had warned prior to the race that Pocket Power had suffered an interrupted preparation for the race.

Buy And Sell came into race looking like something of a lost cause but he bounced with a top performance in defeat. He is another who would have preferred a stronger gallop throughout and he came desperately close to pulling off a double in this race. He was 2kg worse off with Pocket Power, who he had beaten by half a length last year, and he reproduced that sort of form for the first time since then.

Blue Tiger benefited from the tactics used and he deserves a mention for a gallant effort here. He came into the race with stamina doubts and he battled on all the way to the line so his connections have every reason to be pleased with this effort.

Ivory Trail (SAF) is a 4-y-o gelding by Badger's Drift (SAF) out of Hunter's Glen (SAF) by Complete Warrior (USA). He is owned by Miss N Mitchell and Mr W J C Mitchell and was bred by Cheveley Stud.

Winning trainer Joey Ramsden