No Cup for Buffalo Bill
IRISH-bred Buffalo Bill Cody is currently second favourite at 7-1 for the R2-million G-Bets Gauteng Summer Cup at Turffontein on December 1 but trainer Mike de Kock confirmed yesterday this son of Redoute’s Choice will not be running the Grade 1 race on the Standside track.
“We’ve decided to miss the Summer Cup and aim him at the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate at Kenilworth in January,” said De Kock.
However, he did confirm that all of Cascapedia, Like A Panther, Noble Secret and Victory Moon Stakes winning filly Takingthepeace, will accept to run in the Summer Cup come the declaration stage tomorrow.
Despite her defeat to Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks winner Secret Potion in a Pinnacle Stakes at Turffontein on Thursday night, Betting World have Cascapedia up as the 11-2 favourite with Noble Secret at 7-1. Takingthepeace is at 15-2 while Like A Panther drifted to 14-1, a price he shares with Secret Potion, after finishing eighth in the Victory Moon.
Gold Cup winner It’s My Turn is at 17-2 with Tilbury Fort at 9-1 and Coral Fever, who loves this course and distance, at 10-1.
De Kock watched Thursday night’s racing from Mauritius and commented about the performances of his runners: “Takingthepeace was going to race in her usual fashion, but (jockey) Warren (Kennedy) read the pace right and had her in contention early. The conditions suited her and she won a nice contest. Well done again to her owning partners.
Takingthepeace has won six of 13 starts, including the Grade Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic, but the Summer Cup, will be her ultimate test. “She’ll be 4 or 5 pounds (some 2.5kg) worse off due to the sex allowance she received in the Victory Moon,” said De Kock on his website www.mikedekockracing.com.
He was impressed, too, with the run of Like A Panther, who came from last and ran on into eighth place, beaten only six lengths. “He gave Takingthepeace 4.5kg and will be better off with her in the Cup. I’m happy with his progress and he just needed this run to bring him on. He’ll be spot-on for the Cup.”
De Kock also felt Cascapedia would be ‘cherry-ripe’ come Cup day. “She ran another good race, beaten less than half a length. Takingthepeace franked Cascapedia’s win from the Joburg Fillies And Mares Spring Challenge in October. The form is looking strong!” -