Trainer Lucky Houdalakis returns from Vereeniging to the fairest Cape for his annual summer vacation that yielded a Grade 1 trophy last season.
His charge Dyce is back in a field of 15 of South Africa’s finest sprinters that will contest the Gr1 HKJC World Pool Cape Flying Championship and dash down the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth 1000m straight course.
The race is off at 15h20 today.
Craig Zackey wins the 2024 Cape Flying Championship on Dyce (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
All runners are set to carry 60kg’s, barring the mare Asiye Phambili who will carry 57.5 kg’s.
Cape racing report that Dyce is the defending champ. Trainer Lucky Houdalakis guided J.J. the Jet Plane to global success, including the Gr 1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin in 2010. Those accomplishments were achieved despite J.J’s skew front legs, and Houdalakis has faced similar challenges to keep the unsound, Dyce in one piece. Remarkably he has won ten of 21 starts and will give it a full go once again – with Piere Strydom declaring him his best ride of the day.
Cape Flying Champs victor in ’23, Gimme A Prince also battles with rickety knees. But for those physical issues he would have won more than just six races to date. He is a brilliant performer on a going day and a threat to stun them all with his devastating acceleration.
Questioning is a paragon of consistency and will run to his rating. He is a principal contender.
It’s hard to know what to make of King Of The Gauls. His outstanding Umgheni Sprint victory from draw 14 out of 14 around Hollywoodbets Greyville’s tight bends suggested that he can win a Gr1 sprint. But he was dismal on his local seasonal debut and has been deserted by ace jock, Richard Fourie for the mare drawn next to him, Asiye Phambili. She has a fine record down this straight, is in excellent nick and will try adding to her 8 wins from 21 start record, though she is a bit shy on the speed figs.
Eastern Cape speedster Cruise Control gets the perfect set up on a track that has been aiding speed on the inside rail at recent meetings. He could be vulnerable to the ‘swoopers’ late but should give a good sight for a long way.
Bereave mixes his form and tends to drift out when under pressure. He clocked in third, only 1.4 lengths back, in the 2024 edition of this race so can hold his own in this class. There were signs of a form return three weeks ago so he might be used underneath in wider single race exotic combos.
Future Variety shows a seasonal preference, tending to come to light at this time of the year. But his figures are light for this elevated class level.
King Regent won the Eastern Cape Poly Challenge between 1200/1600m, and this turn back to the short cuts is not an obvious move.
Café Culture who won the Post Merchants, is a mighty-tough pace-presser over extended sprints but may find this all too torrid.
Lucky Lad is a seriously talented deep closer who won the Gr1 Golden Horse with a withering turn of finishing speed. That was over 1200m, and he too could find this a bit sharp, but is respected, nevertheless.
Surjay is very game yet was beaten 3.5 lengths in this last year and a similar fate is likely given he prefers stiffer sprints.
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth specialist Cosmic Highway is ultra talented when all parts are in working order but has not won in 59 weeks. He now gets blinkers in hopes of a revival.
