Vaal conditioner Lucky Houdalakis returns to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 25 January to defend his R1,5 million HKJC World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship title with the top-class Dyce, who is one of fifteen carded starters for the 1000m premier Cape summer speed clash.
Craig Zackey won this race on Dyce in 2024, beating Piere Strydom on Thunderstruck in a thrilling finish.
Strydom, who has won 3 of 4 starts on Dyce this season, retains the ride on 25 January, and Zackey is in any event committed to Khaya Stables.
In what promises to be a fascinating renewal, Zackey rides another past winner in the Dean Kannemeyer-trained 2023 star Gimme A Prince who returns to the minimum trip after running a cracker in the recent L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate behind 3yo champion, One Stripe.
The bang in-form Gareth van Zyl team saddle Hollywood Racing flagbearer Asiye Phambili, a recent eyecatching winner of the Cartier Gr2 Sceptre Stakes. The daughter of What A Winter is the only representative of the fairer sex in the field.
Richard Fourie retains the ride on the tough-as-teak mare who looks to emulate the likes of Run Fox Run (2021), Carry On Alice (2017), Alboran Sea(2015), Via Africa (2014) and Val De Ra (20120 as past female winners.
R1 500 000 1000m 15:20 Ref-349
1st R890625, 2nd R285000, 3rd R142500, 4th R71250, 5th R35625, RCIS R75000
HKJC WORLD POOL CAPE FLYING CHAMPIONSHIP (WFA) (Grade 1)
Open to horses at Weight For Age
WFA: 3yrs-3.5kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
1st R890625, 2nd R285000, 3rd R142500, 4th R71250, 5th R35625, RCIS R75000
HKJC WORLD POOL CAPE FLYING CHAMPIONSHIP (WFA) (Grade 1)
Open to horses at Weight For Age
WFA: 3yrs-3.5kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
1 | 1 | Future Variety | 60 | 112 | T A | Aldo Domeyer | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
2 | 2 | Cruise Control | 60 | 118 | HA | Muzi Yeni | Gavin Smith | |
3 | 3 | Surjay | 60 | 124 | A | Luyolo Mxothwa | BJ Crawford/JI Crawford | |
4 | 4 | Dyce | 60 | 128 | HA | Piere Strydom | Lucky Houdalakis | |
5 | 5 | Ziyasha | 60 | 119 | TBa | Raymond Danielson | Clinton Binda | |
6 | 6 | Gimme A Prince | 60 | 129 | A | Craig Zackey | Dean Kannemeyer | |
7 | 7 | King Regent | 60 | 114 | A | Denis Schwarz | Glen Kotzen | |
8 | 8 | Cafe Culture | 60 | 113 | BA | Serino Moodley | Lucinda Woodruff | |
9 | 9 | Lucky Lad | 60 | 125 | TBA | Grant van Niekerk | Sean Tarry | |
10 | 10 | Questioning | 60 | 124 | BA | Juan Paul v’d Merwe | Vaughan Marshall | |
11 | 11 | Seeking The Stars | 60 | 118 | BA | Gavin Lerena | Vaughan Marshall | |
12 | 12 | King Of The Gauls | 60 | 109 | A | #Rachel Venniker | Tony Rivalland | |
13 | 13 | Asiye Phambili | 57.5 | 116 | T A | Richard Fourie | Gareth van Zyl | |
14 | 14 | Cosmic Highway | 60 | 115 | BA | Sean Veale | Dean Kannemeyer | |
15 | 15 | Bereave | 60 | 116 | A | Kabelo Matsunyane | Adam Marcus | |
Same Trainer | ||||||||
(6,14) (10,11) |
The field for the R1 million Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes is a quality one, but on the disappointingly small side with just seven runners.
Brett Crawford’s WSB Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Fatal Flaw takes on Justin Snaith’s rampant and bang in-form year older Double Grand Slam.
Craig Zackey takes over the riding honours on Fatal Flaw from Piere Strydom, who seemingly couldn’t do the weight.
R1 000 000 1600m 12:25 Ref-344
1st R593750, 2nd R190000, 3rd R95000, 4th R47500, 5th R23750, RCIS R50000
MAINE CHANCE FARMS MAJORCA STAKES (WFA) (Grade 1)
For Fillies and Mares at weight for age
WFA: 3yrs-5kgs 4yrs-0kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
1st R593750, 2nd R190000, 3rd R95000, 4th R47500, 5th R23750, RCIS R50000
MAINE CHANCE FARMS MAJORCA STAKES (WFA) (Grade 1)
For Fillies and Mares at weight for age
WFA: 3yrs-5kgs 4yrs-0kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
1 | 1 | Kinda Wonderful | 55 | 104 | A | Athandiwe Mgudlwa | Eric Sands | |
2 | 2 | Rascova | 60 | 119 | T A | Gavin Lerena | Glen Kotzen | |
3 | 3 | Roccapina | 55 | 111 | T A | Juan Paul v’d Merwe | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
4 | 4 | Double Grand Slam | 60 | 122 | A | Richard Fourie | Justin Snaith | |
5 | 5 | Celtic Rumours | 60 | 107 | A | Grant van Niekerk | Sean Tarry | |
6 | 6 | Scarlet Macaw | 55 | 111 | A | Kabelo Matsunyane | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
7 | 7 | Fatal Flaw | 55 | 115 | A | Craig Zackey | BJ Crawford/JI Crawford | |
Same Trainer | ||||||||
(3,6) |
Note! Watch the World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met final field announcement this evening. Click on the image below: