Cody fits the Vaal bill
DEBUT VICTORY RACE HAS PRODUCED NUMEROUS SUBSEQUENT WINNERS
Irish-bred runner highly rated by De Kock yard.
There are often coincidences in life and one of them comes in Race 8 at the Vaal tomorrow when Buffalo Bill Cody makes his second appearance on the racecourse.
On Saturday, following the victory of Lobo’s Legend in the Grade 1 SA Classic at Turffontein, trainer Joe Soma said: “I knew he was a good horse when he ran second to Buffalo Bill Cody on debut because Mike (de Kock) told me how good the winner was.”
That race on 4 November looks very decent. Lobo’s Legend, who was beaten a head, is now a Grade 1 winner.
Third-placed Premier Show won his next start and went on to win four more after that.
All of Infamous Fox (4th), Ace Of Speed (5th), Son Of A Legend (6th), Prince Swarovski (7th), Noordwes (8th) and Mighty Valdie (9th) have gone on to win, which strongly validates that form line.
Ireland-bred Buffalo Bill Cody made his appearance with a big reputation, even though he is six months younger than his opposition, and went off at 6-10. He has been off the track for 157 days but De Kock would be unlikely to race him unless he was confident of a big run from the son of Redoute’s Choice.
In fact, the stable have already said he is working well and they’re expecting a good run.
Anthony Delpech was carded to ride but that looks unlikely after the champion jockey’s fall at Turffontein on Saturday. No replacement has yet been named.
When he won his maiden on debut Buffalo Bill Cody raced over 1160m at Turffontein and is now dropping to 1000m.
However, judging by the pace he showed, the shorter distance is unlikely to trouble him.
De Kock’s charge will not be short of opposition. Rebel’s Champ has been contesting feature races, running in the Grade 3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap two runs back and the Gold Rush Sprint (Non-Black Type) last time, over 1000m and 1100m respectively.
He was beaten around eight lengths in both events but he does drop in class and has the benefit of 4kg-claimer Dylan Lerena in the irons.
That’s Life ran second to Sirtain in February and then was a runaway 7.40-length winner of his Maiden Plate over 1000m on the Classic track, where they race tomorrow. Piere Strydom takes the ride for Johan Janse van Vuuren.
Silver Spine was another impressive maiden winner last time on his third official visit to a racetrack and must have a chance, along with Alpine Glacier.