The one-two in the Grade 1 WSB Met was the same as last year but just in the reverse order as the Justin Snaith-trained Jet Dark, hard against the outside rail, mowed down his arch rival Kommetdieding to just prevail under Richard Fourie.
However, the best performance in the race might well have belonged to third-placed Pomp And Power, who was climbing all over them on the outside rail having come from last in the running, but he could not find a way through.
Crack three-year-old Cousin Casey went around horses into the lead after initial leader Sparkling Water had gone at a crawl down the back straight.
Richard Fourie appeared to cleverly switch Jet Dark outward around the turn and it seemed as if this was to ensure he got to the sought after outside rail first.
However, in the post race interview he said he was forced outward due to the knock on effect of the crawling pace, as the runners stacked up and some of them could not be restrained.
Fourie, drove Jet Dark strongly from the top of the straight to the outside rail in an apparent bid to ensure he would not be cut off by horses in front trying to get there.
However, in the interview afterwards he said Jet Dark had first jumped a patch and lost momentum and had thereafter gone to the outside rail of his own accord.
Fourie said he was jostled on the outside rail, but being there might have been the key to victory.
Kommetdieding looked the winner when bursting through down the centre but Jet Dark scythed him down late with a gallant late surge.
It was a glorious swansong for the magnificent five-year-old entire and as a five time Grade 1 winner he is now in a fine position to follow in the footsteps of his celebrated sire Trippi at stud.
It was a glorious moment too for part-owner Nick Jonsson who has now won the two most coveted races in the country, the Durban July (twice with Do It Again) and the Met.
Nick part-owns Jet Dark together with Tommy Crowe.
It was Justin Snaith’s second Met success.
It was a fine moment for top jockey Richard Fourie because his hometown’s biggest race had previously eluded him.
The unlucky Pomp And Power showed how much ability he has and Kabelo Matsunyane will be wondering for a long time what might have been had he just been able to find a gap.
However, it was the cramming to the outside which will also be a discussion point with the L’Ormarins King’s Plate winner having won hard against the outside rail and the Met winner doing the same.
The fourth-placed Nexus, who gave Snaith a one-three-four, was also on the outside strip having come from a handy position.
Cousin Casey finished in fifth place, also on the outside.
The favourite Make It Snappy was in with every chance coming from the box seat and running on the inside of Cousin Casey in the straight.
However, she never really threatened to win and, as a galloping type who was unsuited to the crawl, the connections might lament not having made a bigger effort to get to the front.
She eventually faded into a 4,10 length eleventh, but not before hampering Rascallion who was unwinding a strong run between horses.
Rascallion stayed on strongly again for a two length sixth and was one of the hard luck stories.
Picture: They drive for the line in the WSB Met and it is Jet Dark hard on the outside rail who is going to prevail. (Candiese Lenferna)
