THERE was something really special about Buffalo Bill Cody’s walloping of the opposition in a Progress Plate over 1600m on the classic track at the Vaal on Thursday – probably the way he quickened off a decent pace under Randall Simons to put daylight between himself and the rest within seconds.

Buffalo Bill Cody (IRE) has taken a few steps up in distance and class, with distinction, and that he’s effectively just turned three makes his three good wins from four starts all the more impressive.

Buffalo Bill Cody (IRE).

Mike de Kock shares racing fans’ enthusiasm about this one and he said on Friday: “Buffalo Bill Cody was a May foal in the UK, he was nine months behind the rest when he beat Lobo’s Legend on debut at Turffontein last November.

“Being so young we put him away to mature, he’s only now starting to come into his own. We lost his race two weeks ago when there was a strike at Randjesfontein, we were going to put him in the Daily News that following Monday. Just shows you how a strike can affect plans.

“After Thursday’s win, believe me I am tempted to go for a big one in the KZN season but we’ll be consulting his owner Mary Slack before we make a decision, before we get to a Plan B. I don’t believe in pushing a horse hard too early because you can hurt them. He’s a special horse so perhaps we’ll give him a break until the summer in Gauteng.”

Nafaayes (AUS).

Sheikh Hamdan’s two-year-old Nafaayes (AUS), was another eye-catching winner for Simons on the day. She won her 1000m debut by 1.75-lengths after making up ground hand over fist in the last 300m.

Mike commented: “Nafaayes wasn’t slow off, she jumped well and then dropped back, it was just inexperience. She’ll improve nicely from this, just like Soqrat who won last Saturday. Both needed the race to learn and they will come on quickly now. Nafaayes won going away, she had plenty left and it looks like she’ll go 1400m or a mile. She is by Exceed and Excel who gets them to sprint, but on the way she won she’ll see out further.”