Lucky Houdalakis’ stable star Dyce, winner of last year’s Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship, is the headline act on a nine-race Vaal card on Thursday, 9 October.
The sparingly raced seven-year-old makes his long-awaited reappearance in Race 5 over 1000m and, at the weights, looks primed to strike after 257 days off.
Keeping the fragile Dyce sound has been a well-documented challenge, yet Houdalakis has done a sterling job guiding this son of William Longsword to 10 wins, four seconds and as many fourths from his 23 outings – and more than R2-million in earnings.
Dyce’s last run came during Cape Racing’s Summer Festival in January when he finished a respectable fourth in defence of his Cape Flying title behind Equus Champion Sprinter Gimme A Prince.
It is encouraging that Richard Fourie, who makes the trip to the Highveld for four rides, partners both Dyce as well as his full-brother Stoneywood, a debutant for the Houdalakis outfit in Race 2 over 1200m.
Punters should also note the same Houdalakis-Fourie combination in Race 4 over 1200m, where the consistent filly Francilien is expected to regain winning form. She was narrowly denied by Komati River in a similar contest last month but is 1kg better off, and with Fourie replacing Craig Zackey the tables should be turned.
Another horse worth following is the rapidly improving Aladdin’s Lamp, who has thrived since relocating to the Highveld where this Master Of My Fate gelding has won three of his four starts. James Crawford’s charge was completing a hat-trick when winning over 2400m in July and he steps out fresh in Race 6 over 1600m.
While his readiness after an 82-day break and suitability to the shorter trip are in question, it could pay to follow his progress. Should he falter, St John Gray’s progressive three-year-old Palace Prince looks likely to pounce, with stamina in his pedigree suggesting further improvement over this longer journey.
Elsewhere on the card, leading apprentice Girish Samo-Burthia could notch up a double. He rides Blindfire (Race 3) and Kiss Of Fire (Race 8), both recent runners-up who are well placed to go one better this time.
Clive Robinson
