Pocket Power was something of a surprise nomination for the R1,2 million Canon Gold Cup (Gr 1) to be run over 3200m at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday, August 1.

The Mike Bass-trained champion has a date in the Champions Cup to be run at Clairwood Racecourse on Saturday, June 25 and with a draw of 28 out of 29 nominations for the Canon Gold Cup, it would be surprising if the gelding takes his place in South Africa’s premier event for stayers.

The race has attracted most of the country’s best including previous winner Diamond Quest who made a cracking return to form when running out a comfortable winner of the Schweppes Gold Vase (Gr 2) over 3000m on Vodacom Durban July day.

Both Pocket Power and Diamond Quest are trained by Mike Bass who has also nominated Bill Of Rights, Vodacom Durban July fourth, Thundering Jet and Meteor Shower.

SA Derby (Gr 1) winner Bouquet-Garni has been nominated by Mike de Kock along with the grey Equal Image.

John Vos has nominated Gold Bowl (Gr 2) winner Western Walk and the St John Grey-trained runner-up, Swarming, is also among the nominations.

Steady Chat, runner-up to Diamond Quest in the Schweppes Gold Vase, has come into her own since being tried over ground by trainer Paul Lafferty and should stand a strong winning chance should she stand her ground.

Veteran trainer Ormond Ferraris has Aquanaut Handicap (L) winner Santa entered and runner-up, Sunny Jim, out of the Geoff Woodruff yard is also among the nominations.