The return of last season’s Equus Champion Sprinter Buffalo Storm Cody is the principal attraction come the eight-race Vaal meeting on Thursday 8 October, with the Tony Peter-trained five-year-old making his seasonal reappearance in Race 5, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1100m.
The son of Buffalo Bill Cody has not raced since producing a high-class performance to win the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 26 July under Gavin Lerena. He defeated Jet Force by 0.90-lengths at level weights, with the form strengthened by the runner-up subsequently winning the Grade 3 Matchem Stakes at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last weekend.
Buffalo Storm Cody is the best-weighted runner in Thursday’s field and, despite a 74-day absence, his rating leaves him with a clear advantage. He does not need to return at peak fitness to be competitive at this level, and his first start with Kabelo Matsunyane in the irons could provide the jockey with an immediate reward.
The champion therefore sets the standard.
A potential jockey-trainer double could be completed in Race 7, where Caladrius looks well placed to follow up a last-start victory. The progressive three-year-old Rafeef filly won a similar contest over 1000m last time, beating male opposition by 0.25-lengths. She meets her own sex this time and, although raised three points in the handicap, appears capable of confirming that recent improvement.
Rafeef’s Queen has another opportunity to convert admirable consistency into maiden success in Race 2 over 1000m. The Stuart Pettigrew-trained three-year-old has finished second in each of her last three starts and does not appear to need significant improvement to go one better. With leading rider Keagan de Melo aboard, she has strong claims to finally open her account.
Ruby Whisper presents a similar form profile, having also been runner-up in her last three starts, but her 135-day absence introduces a fitness variable. On balance, Rafeef’s Queen makes more appeal.
Dreadnought is another last-start runner-up with a favourable opportunity in Race 3 over 1800m. The Clinton Binda-trained son of Gimmethegreenlight was finishing strongly when narrowly beaten over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville last month. The additional 200m should suit, and further improvement could be enough for the three-year-old colt to shed his maiden status under Calvin Habib.
The meeting is built around Buffalo Storm Cody’s comeback, however, and the betting case is straightforward. His Mercury Sprint victory, the subsequent success of Jet Force and favourable weight terms all point towards a horse who remains some way ahead of this opposition on established form. The 74-day layoff is the only obvious question mark.
If he returns anywhere near his best, Buffalo Storm Cody should take plenty of stopping – while Rafeef’s Queen, Dreadnought and Caladrius offer sound supporting plays for multiples on a card where proven form could prove more reliable than speculation.
Clive Robinson
