There was drama at the start of the R1,5 million World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship when the favourite Isivunguvungu was withdrawn on Vet’s advice after rushing the gate on loading and injuring his right shoulder in the process.
Dyce (Craig Zackey) surged clear down the inside to beat Thunderstruck (Piere Strydom) (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The withdrawal was a terrible turn of bad luck for the Peter Muscutt team and the Hollywood Syndicate, after an eight month build-up for the dual Gr1 winner.
But visiting trainer Lucky Houdalakis and his connections will take the trophy and the cheque with both hands after the supremely consistent Joburg Merchants winner Dyce finished powerfully to register his first Gr1 success.
With new favourite Thunderstruck (18-10) showing the way under Piere Strydom, it was the high-riding Craig Zackey who celebrated his third winner of a dream afternoon as Dyce surged clear down the inside to beat Thunderstruck by 0,40 lengths in a time of 57,51 secs.
The 10-1 Bereave a length away in third.
Dyce was the second away horse in three renewals to win the Cape’s premier speed contest.
Bred by Dave Shawe’s Titanium Racing, Dyce is by Cape Guineas winner William Longsword (Captain Al) out of the one-time winning Galileo mare, Beshaayir.
Now a prospective sire in the making, Dyce has won 7 races with 6 places from 14 starts for stakes of R1 833 875.
Watch the replay…
