Jack Milner
There is no race meeting scheduled on the Highveld this weekend but racing fans will be treated to an enthralling 10-race card on the Classic track at the Vaal on Thursday where we have some top-class equines in action.
While there are no feature races on the card there is a hotly contested Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m in Race 5 which is enhanced by the appearance of one of the best sprinters in the country – Buffalo Storm Cody.
This Tony Peter trained four-year-old has run 14 times for seven wins and six places and his record since having been gelded is even more notable – seven runs, six wins and a fourth place.
Even that fourth place was a reasonable effort as it was his first race at Hollywoodbets Greyville and it was used to prepare him for his biggest victory to date, the Grade 1 Post Merchants over 1200m at that course on 27 July.
The son of Buffalo Bill Cody was given a well-deserved rest and has come back to win both of his starts so far. This will be his peak run, and he comes into the race as the best weighted runner by at least 2.5kg
There are only three Grade 1 sprints in the country and while he has already bagged one of them, he could have the second – the Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at HWB Kenilworth on Cape Town Met day – if the connections are prepared to travel to the Cape, as one if his targets.
The final one, which is almost certain to be on his radar, is the Computaform Sprint over 1000m at Turffontein next year.
On paper Buffalo Storm Cody will be very hard to oppose at the Vaal and will be paired again with Gavin Lerena who has ridden him to five of the seven victories. While the majority of his wins have been over 1160m and 1200m he did win his only race over 1000m, which came on debut, so the drop in trip should not be an issue.
The main danger could well be the old man of the race, Corne Spies-trained William Robertson. The seven-year-old has only had two runs since coming back from his break, and his first was against Buffalo Storm Cody where he finished second, beaten 2.25 lengths.
On that occasion apprentice Trent Mayhew still had his 1.5kg allowance but he no longer gets the claim so, as they both are still carded to carry 62kg, William Robertson starts off at a 1.5kg disadvantage. But that was his first run back and his second was over 1400m in heavy going on Betway Summer Cup day which did not suit him.
Spies did point out that they had been unable to get any work in due to all the rain so, in his peak run, we should see a much fitter William Robertson.
While he will battle to beat Buffalo Storm Cody he could prove more competitive this time.
Lucky Houdalakis introduces one of the better bets on the card in Race 2 with Agoge, a Gimmethegreenlight gelding who made a striking debut when rattling home for second over 1400m. That closing effort screamed he wanted further and that is exactly what he will get in this Maiden Plate over 1600m.
Craig Zackey and Houdalakis have been having a lot of success lately and they look ready to notch up another win with Agoge, who looks to be another banker on the card.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 10 Galaxy Queen, 2 Korcula, 4 Chickasaw, 3 Matter Of Trust
Race 2: 7 Agoge, 1 Milan's World, 4 District Attorney, 11 Smuggler
Race 3: 1 Sky Pillar Rock, 5 Commander Of All, 2 Hopscotch, 7 Circle Of Grace
Race 4: 4 Beynac, 2 Hawkbill, 1 King's Express, 3 Chestnut Bomber
Race 5: 1 Buffalo Storm Cody, 2 William Robertson, 7 Karate Kid, 4 Taxi To The Moon
Race 6: 3 Argo Alley, 1 Texas Red, 4 Taegan's Champ, 2 Musical Score
Race 7: 6 Palace Prince, 9 Dylan's Champ, 7 Care Forgot, 4 Mastership
Race 8: 2 Bakwena, 8 Warm Reception, 1 Doitwithdiamonds, 4 Gerbera
Race 9: 7 Opera Fan, 6 Grace's Kiss, 3 Ringa Ringa Roses, 5 Pretty Analia
Race 10: 6 Gamer, 10 Vava Vegas, 1 Guerilla Warfare, 3 Michael Faraday
BEST BET
Race 5: 1 Buffalo Storm Cody
VALUE BET
Race 10: 6 Gamer
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 2x10
BIPOT
R108
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 1, 2, 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 6: 6, 7, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 1, 5
Leg 2: 2, 4
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4
Leg 5: 6, 9
Leg 6: 1, 2, 8
Leg 7: 3, 6, 7
PICK 6
R1280
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 4: 4, 6, 7, 9
Leg 5: 1, 2, 4, 8
Leg 6: 3, 5, 6, 7
JACKPOT 1
R64
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 3: 4, 6, 7, 9
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 8
JACKPOT 2
Leg 1: 4, 6, 7, 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 8
Leg 3: 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 6, 10