Racing on the Highveld this weekend makes a much-anticipated return to Turffontein’s Standside track, for the first time since early August, on Sunday 26 October for an eight-race card packed full of quality and sprinkled with a few attractive betting propositions.
The meeting is highlighted by the return to action of several feature-race performers, none more so than Grade 1 winners Fire Attack and Buffalo Storm Cody who clash in Race 7 over 1160m after well-deserved holidays.
Both enjoyed hugely successful three-year-old campaigns that brought with it success at the highest level. Alec Laird-trained Fire Attack, Champion Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding on the Highveld as a youngster, confirmed all of that early promise by maintaining a high level of form last season.
This classy son of Fire Away displayed his versatility too, with consistent performances over distances from 1400m to 2000m, over which he scored a merited big-race victory in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge after second-place finishes in the Grade 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes (1400m), Grade 2 Dingaans (1600m) and the second leg of the SA Triple Crown, the 1800m Grade 1 SA Classic, as well as the 1800m Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes after a setback in his preparation.
Laird’s stable star built on that comeback effort to finish a highly commendable fourth in the Champions Cup when last seen on HKJC World Pool Champions Day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 27 July – the same card on which Buffalo Storm Cody made his Grade 1 breakthrough under Gavin Lerena in the 1200m Grade 1 Mercury Sprint.
Tony Peter’s charge has benefitted no end from gelding and has firmly established himself as one of the country’s best speedsters. This son of Buffalo Bill Cody has won four of five appearances since he was gelded and remains open to further improvement this term.
Fire Attack and Buffalo Storm Cody boast unbeaten course-and-distance records and the cream will likely rise to the top in what is, undoubtedly, the race of the day. Boxed Swingers and Exacta bets should yield a profit but bettors are encouraged to maximise their potential winnings by banking the pair in Trifecta or Quartet bets, including Greaterix and Chasing Happiness to fill the minors.
For larger permutations, recently gelded Winds Of Change – another with an unbeaten record over track and trip – could be the kicker that boosts the dividends. This Mike Azzie-trained four-year-old son of What A Winter was Grade 1 placed as a juvenile and again at three, and there’s every chance Winds Of Change can kick on this season.
Elsewhere on the card, the most valuable contest on the day is Race 4 over 2000m, and Pathfork filly Olivia’s Way is good value to bounce back from a disappointing, albeit excusable, comeback run in a 1450m Grade 2.
Roy Magner’s inmate showed last season that she is undeniably better than that underwhelming performance suggests. She is one of three standout rides on the card for in-form jockey Muzi Yeni who ought to win Race 2 over 1400m aboard Azzie-trained Anahita (an eye-catching third on debut).
Yeni also rides Kiss Of Fire in Race 6 over 2000m and this honest Erupt mare, like Olivia’s Way, is good value to bounce back from an excusable last start.
Betway Summer Cup hopefuls Parisian Walkway and The Equator are also notable big-name runners on the day, and they should fight out the finish to Race 2 over 1600m.
Clive Robinson
