Jerusalema Rain, between Buffalo Bill Cody (far side) and Cosmic Speed), stays on to win the Gr 2 Senor Santa Stakes (JC Photos)
The betting odds suggested there had been an upset in the Gr 2 TAB Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein Standside today (Tuesday), but on closer inspection of the form the winner Jerusalema Rain had a better chance than his 14/1 odds suggested and Buffalo Storm Cody was more vulnerable than his 5/10 odds suggested.
The Sean Tarry-trained Jerusalema Rain prevailed by a neck under a fine ride by Mickaelle Michel from the Tony Peter-trained dual Gr 1-winning sprinter Buffalo Storm Cody and the Tarry-trained Cosmic Speed proving his suitability to sprints by running a head further back in third.
Jerusalema Rain had finished just half-a-length behind the smart Questioning last time out over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville when receiving 7,5kg plus Michel’s 1,5kg gender claim (i.e. 9kg in all) and he was now receiving 10kg from Buffalo Storm Cody with the gender claim not applying due to the race’s black type status.
That is not to mention Jerusalema Rain’s smart juvenile form when trained by Ashley Fortune, beating Sandringham Summit at level weights on one occasion and finishing second to Lucky Lad in a Gr 2 and second to Main Defender in a Sales race.
Cosmic Speed only recceived 2kg from Buffalo Storm Cody, so proved himself capable of mixing it with the best over sprint trips, although Sean Tarry had said beforehand that this was a preparation race for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m.
Buffalo Storm Cody is the highest rated horse in the country on 132, so was officially 4kg better off than any other runner.
However, the 100-rated Jerusalema Rain had found his form in Cape Town with Candice Bass at this time last year before moving up to the Tarry yard and he was clearly on the up again on the Highveld, so as he was once rated 109 he had plenty of room for improvement.
Cosmic Speed, rated 120, has had a high rating of 126 and his four previous sprints yielded two wins plus a close second on debut to subsequent SA Nursery winner Fire Attack and a close second to stablemate Proceed in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion, so he too could have had a better chance in reality than his odds of 16/1 suggested.
Richard Fourie had reportedly stated before the race that he felt his chief threat was Jerusalema Rain.
The high draws appeared to be favourable on the day and Buffalo Storm Cody was drawn eleven out of 11.
Buffalo Storm Cody broke well, but none were better away than Jerusalema Rain from draw six.
He pinged the gate and with long strides he led, but looked to be going within himself.
Buffalo Storm Cody was on the outside about three lengths back and Cosmic Speed was looking comfortable in the running just behind him on his inside.
Jerusalema Rain stretched further clear at the 500m mark, but Buffalo Storm Cody had him in his sights.
Buffalo Storm Cody got going at the 300m mark and ranged up looking the winner.
However, Cosmic Speed was also flying up on the inside of Jerusalema Rain.
Both challengers headed Jerusalema Rain, but their big weights began to tell.
Jerusalema Rain, on the other hand, showed no signs of wilting and stayed on, coming back to pip them.
Jerusalema Rain is by Captain Of All and was bred by Keivan Stud. This was his fourth career win and the first time he had earned bold black type.
He put up his hand for a place in the Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint.
Sean Tarry might consider Cosmic Speed for the Golden Horse Sprint considering he would likely have a better chance in that race than in the Gold Challenge and it is run two weeks before the Challenge anyway.
Buffalo Storm Cody would have to carry 65kg to run in the Golden Horse Sprint, so he might avoid it and rather wait for the Gr 1 weight for age Mercury Sprint.
The first three in the Senor Santa were in a different race to the rest with Anfields Rocket, carrying just 52,5kg, beaten 3,20 lengths into fourth.
Charming Cheetah was a shorthead behind him in fifth and next best was Ziyasha, who looked over-priced out at 40/1 as the race approached before shortening into 14/1, but he unfortunately over-raced in the running.
