Hollywood are offering 9-2 on a horse labelled ‘a machine’ and ridden by a former SA champion jockey currently riding off a 28% win strike-rate at Kenilworth on Saturday.
That’s the situation with one of Mike de Kock’s two L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate hopefuls, Buffalo Bill Cody, who faces his first serious test at the picturesque Southern Suburbs venue.
He will be partnered for the second time by Mauritzfontein-Wilgerbosdrift jockey Gavin Lerena.
Bred in the Northern Hemisphere, Mike de Kock has always maintained that the son of Redoute’s Choice would improve with maturity to extend his natural racing ability.
The Mike de Kock racing website suggests that Buffalo Bill Cody has the element that separates top horses from good ones – he can quicken off a high cruising speed.
“When you think he’s at top speed, there’s another gear to come! Buffalo Bill Cody is very smart. He’s a machine. He is versatile and it looks like he’ll see out 1800m and even 2000m,” Mathew de Kock said late last year.
Mary Slack – belated birthday gift from her progressive colt?
Buffalo Bill Cody, by Redoute’s Choice from Buffalo Berry (Sri Pekan), races in the silks of Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift Stud and he could give the leading breeder a late birthday present for her New Year’s eve milestone that passed quietly earlier this week.
The colt’s prep has gone like a dream.
He has won four races on the trot – and was only beaten at his second start in April last year over the Vaal 1000m. Needing the run, he finished a 7 length fourth to Rebel’s Champ. The latter is a 1000m specialist who has graduated to the realm of a serious contender for the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship and the Gr1 Computaform Sprint.
Will it be enough for Buffalo Bill Cody to receive just a half kilo from the likes of Legal Eagle and Rainbow Bridge on Saturday at his first run on a left-handed track?
We’ll find that out on Saturday just after 16h30.
Prices subject to change – please visit Hollywoodbets – click here
