Dyce’s career high moment, winning the Gr 1 wfa World Pool Cape Flying Championship. (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

Lucky Houdalakis’s training motto is “I don’t train the program, I train  the horse.”

He is therefore not sure what is in store for his Gr 1-winning sprinter Dyce this season, but he is sure the son of William Longsword is happier now, in the week ahead of his seasonal reppearance on Saturday, than he was in the second half of last season.

Lucky said. “He is a sound horse, there is nothing wrong with him, I just think he was run down. When he came back from Cape Town he began to haemoconcentrate, so he was under pressure already. Then we gelded him and he didn’t have time to get over it before going into the Computaform and Scottsville. I sat down with David (Shawe – the owner and breeder) and said he’s had three unplaced runs and there’s no way this horse can run unplaced – it’s impossible – he’s telling us he’s not happy, there’s something wrong, so we just have to back off him. Enough is enough.”

Dyce won the Gr 1 wfa Cape Flying Championship in scintillating fashion on WSB Met day, beating the subsequently named Equus Champion Sprinter Thunderstruck by 0,40 lengths in a thrilling duel in the front.

However, in his next run in the Gr 3 J J THe Jet Plane Stakes over 1000m at Turffontein Standside about five weeks later he was beaten 11,10 lengths.

He was then gelded but in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint over the same course and distance another five weeks on he was beaten 7,75 lengths.

About eight weeks later he disappointed again in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint, beaten 7,10 lengths.

It was then that the decision was made to rest him.

He did not go on holiday and stayed in training at his Vaal yard.

However, Lucky said, “I  put him away and just played with him until he started enjoying life again. I didn’t take him out of work, I just took him out of pressure.  I just think he went through a lot of changes going from a colt to a gelding. Whatever, it was, something was bothering him, because he can’t run like that. So, we’ve freshened him up and we will start  again. “

Lucky’s motto entails listening to the horse and planning races accordingly, but he said when attempting to adapt a horse’s well-being to coincide with a pre-planned  long term program, it was usually detrimental to the horse’s well-being and to his or her long term career.

Dyce is now a six-year-old, but he is relatively lightly raced with just 17 career starts to date.

Hopefully, he can bounce back to his thrilling best, in which he shows high cruising speed followed by a devastating kick.

Lucky concluded, “So we’re bringing him back on Saturday, let’s see what he’s got.”

The William Longsword gelding runs in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1000m at Turffontein Inside and has landed a tricky draw of eight out of eleven, so Piere Strydom will have his work cut out.

Wonderful (Global View) cruises in by five lengths under Craig Zackey to give the Garth Puller yard the second leg of a treble. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Andrew Harrison (Gold Circle)

Apex Predator was widely expected to break his run of seconds in the card opener on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday and although the race panned out as expected, it was not without a few anxious moments for supporters of the favourite. Pacemaker Cappellino stuck resolutely to the lead with Siphesihle Hlengwa hard at work on Garth Puller’s runner but he gradually cut the deficit to take up the lead. He was then hard-pressed to hold off the attentions of Mo King, while Bandmaster, tested over 2400m at his last outing, also put in a late charge. 50m further, Apex Predator would still be in the maidens.

The Hollywood Syndicate has in a matter of a few seasons, become one of the country’s leading owners, and they were in the winner’s box once again as Isikwishikwishi made short work of his opposition in the second. Athandiwe Mgudlwa kicked for home early on Alyson Wright’s colt and he was not for the catching. Amor Fati stayed on for a well-beaten second but favourite Sovereign Command, three wide for most of the race, folded tamely.

Sacred Lily, the six-year-old mare having her 20th start, kept running under a well-judged ride from Rachel Venniker to land the third for Lola Crawford and daughters Taryn and Hailey who run the show at Summerveld.

It was a case of two contrasting styles with Muzi Yeni going hammer and tongs on runner-up Syrian Steel in his usual frenetic style and Venniker keeping her mount balanced but shifting out under pressure. It may have been race-riding on Venniker’s part, the two horses coming together briefly, but the bumping will not have affected the result.

Doctor’s Orders recorded back-to-back victories for Mark Dixon in the fourth, English Primrose runner-up on both occasions. Dixon intimated post-race that he had still to get to the bottom of the filly and that the removal of the cornel collar, a breathing aid, had probably accounted for the filly’s recent improvement.

The field took off like all the riders were late for an appointment in the fifth and it came as no surprise to see those in the vanguard fading to nothing in the straight. Serino Moodley held his nerve, watching from behind on Ladybug. When the opposition folded he pounced on the tiring pack for Ladybug to win as she liked. This was the filly’s second win from just four starts and although she beat little of note she won well under her burden of 61kg. Sweet Julia plodded on for second with Blush Of Dawn, dangerous at one stage, staying on for third.

Yeni is on a mission. If he does not make it to the National Jockey Championship, he will certainly clock up the most number of rides as he travels the country. He has already had 211 mounts this season for 36 wins with nearest chaser Sean Veale having ridden in 154 races to date.

Yeni goes back to his days as an apprentice with Nathan Kotzen when Kotzen was assistant to Mike de Kock and they teamed up with Royal Victory to land the two biggest races on the Gauteng calendar last season. Yeni carried the same colours to victory aboard Warrior Of Royalty to win the Middle Stakes. There was a wall of horses in line approaching the final furlong but Yeni left the best for last as he burst out of the pack with Warrior Of Royalty winning rather comfortably ahead of the scrum.

Garth Puller had a fine afternoon, opening and closing the days proceedings with Hlengwa doing the honours on both occasions but it was Craig Zackey who did duty aboard Wonderful in the seventh, leading all the way and winning by the proverbial street with Safe And Sound, stable companion Peitit Verdot and favourite Miss Platina in a tight call for the minor money.

Puller, a formidable rider in his day, has been a mentor to Hlengwa and has been giving the youngster many chances of late. He did not let the side down as he rounded off the meeting on Fine Admiral who fought on gamely from his wide draw to land the last.

Black Egret has been tipped to win the seventh (JC Photos)

The Vaal straight course meeting is set up to favour low draws with the outside rail 10m in with a 10m spur at the 600m mark, which will make it tricky because a lot of the fancied runners have high draws.

The predicted draw bias does not do the favourite for the first race, Palace Dancer, any favours as she is drawn ten out of eleven. However, she should be too good in this workriders maiden over 1200m and having Phenisile Mongqawa aboard helps too. On debut over 1200m she showed a nice big action and was finishing strongly to be beaten just a length into second place by the odds-on favourite Francilien. The form has not worked out too well but she did create a good visual impression and does not have a lot to beat.  Her Tony Peter-trained stablemate Bellissivar has run a lot of places but appears to be better at 1000m. The rest all look to be either not good enough or held on form.

Tony Peter could claim a quick double in the second race over 1200m. His charge Blizzard Snow dwelt on debut, losing a length or so, but also showed a nice big action and also finished second. She is also drawn high but gets a 2,5kg gender allowance and does not have a lot to beat. Busstoptohounslow has run some fair races and should enjoy this trip having run on well over 1000m in his penultimate start. He has a low draw so could be a more lively threat than his odds of 3/1 compared to 6/10 for Blizzard Snow suggest. His Lordship has shown ability and comes from some strong formlines. He returns from a layoff since April but in this field could be in the shake up with a 2,5kg claimer up, but on the downside he has the widest draw of all.

In the third race Bad Medicine was actually beaten by His Lordhip the last time he ran back in April. However, he made a fair debut when a nine length second to Buffalo Storm Cody and it’s hard to find anything to beat him. The moderate pair Mizzen Sword and Antonio Gaudi should finish close together on form and could be the main dangers.

In the fourth race over 2000m Avoontoast was a touch disappoining last time but the winner of that race, Indian Ocean, is a decent sort and was given a masterful ride by Piere Strydom. She was going the right way before that and has not only always been held in high regard by Joe Soma but the latter’s yard is in good form. Aerial’s Jet won a good race last time and was only raised two points by the handicapper and Gavin Lerena stays aboard. She should be right there. I Am Regal chased Indian Ocean home last time and was 4,50 lengths clear of Avoontoast, but some other formlines suggest Avoontoast could have her measure. I Am Regal can’t be left out of exotics though.

In the fifth race over 1400m Willy Meet Again won easily second time out after a good debut and looks to be promising and should enjoy the step up in trip too. However, he does have a high draw and has to run off an 88 merit rating in his handicap bow, so it won’t be easy. Hillary Step will not mind the step down in trip and only has to overcome a three point raise for her last win and she has a middle draw with Trent Mayhew staying aboard after that last win. Blue Horizon is ideally distance suited and the blinkers come off after she had won without them over this trip and then wore them last time when second over 1200m. That was a good Highveld debut last time and she has a nice low draw. Alabama Anna is in good form and should relish this trip. The draw of seven is on the high side. Golden Aspen is capable of a strong finish and stays this trip. However, she has a high draw. Mary Read finished a good second over 1600m first time out the maidens and the form has been franked. However, she also has a high draw.

In the sixth over 1400m Willowild looks to be one who can progress and the form of his Maiden Juvenile Plate win over 1500m at the end of July has been well franked so he can go close off an 81 merit rating . However, he is yet another fancied horse on the day who has a high draw. Perini Palace was beaten two lengths by Risky Business last time over 1500m and is 2kg better off and might enjoy the slight step down. However, his draw is also on the high side. Risky Business goes for a hattrick and has a low draw of four. Mother City faced some fair sorts as a maiden without being disgraced and has to be considered. Together Again could be dangerous from draw one.

In the seventh over 1200m Black Egret has some class and has Piere Strydom up, although if high draws are unfavourable it might be tricky from draw six out of nine. Longsword is capable of staying on strongly and a high draw might not be that much of a disadvantage if he is dropped out. Tsar Bomba returns from a layoff and the Janse van Vuuren runners have seemed to need their first outings this season. Cian The Conqueror is in good form but also has a high draw. Of the low drawn horses Esquevelle and Open Highway make appeal.

In the last race over 1200m Purpleninjaturtle makes appeal but is yet another with a tricky draw of six out of nine. Clarkson has ability over this trip and has a middle draw. Prince of Kildare sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and could do well from pole position under Muzi Yeni. King Of Numbers will enjoy reverting to this trip but has a hugh draw. Phala Millions and Bregardt have nice draws and are not out of it. Written In Stone won easily last time and with the same jockey up could defy being officially 4kg under sufferance from a good draw.

Picture: Flower Alley

Cape Breeders

Wilgerbosdrift’s successful sire Flower Alley made his presence felt on the second day of the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

His multiple stakes-winning daughter Awesome Flower had a Gun Runner filly (Hip 319) make $1 050 000 at Tuesday’s session.
Consigned to the sale by Gainesway, Agent for Stonestreet Bred & Related, the chestnut was knocked down to Windancer Farm for $1.05 million, making her the third top-priced filly sold in the second session of this year’s September Sale.

The filly is a full-sister to G1 Arkansas Derby/G1 TVG.com Haskell Stakes winning sire Cyberknife, and a half-sister to the stakes-placed gelding Tapit Shoes.

Her Flower Alley sired dam Awesome Flower won 11 races, six of which were stakes races, and earned $556 593 in stakes. Awesome Flower, who was runner-up in the G3 Sixty Sails Handicap and third in the G2 Chilukki Stakes, has produced three winners to date.

Flower Alley, also broodmare sire of Japanese star Lucky Lilac and G1 Shoemaker Mile winning sire Smooth Like Strait, is the sire of 37 stakes winners including champions I’ll Have Another, Princess Calla and Lukes Alley.

Dylan Johnston remains in the drive position on The Bold Thady as Elizabeth Gale eases up on Catuaba

Conditional jockey banned for 28 days after appearing to mistake half-furlong pole for winning line at Worcester

Charlie Huggins (Racing Post)

Conditional jockey Elizabeth Gale has been banned for 28 days after appearing to mistake the half-furlong pole for the winning line in the 2m7f handicap hurdle.

The 7lb claimer, who was riding Catuaba for her boss Charlie Longsdon, stood up in her irons at the half-furlong pole when her mount held a length lead over The Bold Thady.

Dylan Johnston kept in the drive position on The Bold Thady, who headed Catuaba in the final strides as Gale eased up on the 15-2 shot.

Gale resumed riding once spotting the eventual 25-1 winner on her outside, but it was too late as Catuaba was beaten a head.

Gale was accompanied by multiple Grade 1-winning rider Gavin Sheehan in a stewards’ inquiry, where the 22-year-old was banned for 28 days for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to obtain the best possible placing on a horse who would have finished first.

Longsdon, who had been preparing Gale’s next mount, Ikigai Star, for the following race during the inquiry, told Sky Sports Racing: “The worst thing is she’s given him the best ride I’ve seen that horse [been given]. He’s not a straightforward horse. He’s not always the most genuine.

“She’s stolen the race turning in and then that happens. I feel gutted for her. It’s a genuine mistake, but she’s got to take her punishment. Some people say it’s happened a few times here before, and maybe we should take the half-furlong pole away, but there’s no excuses.”

Gale was having her 111th ride under rules, with her sole winner for Longsdon having been when helping Catuaba justify 5-2 favouritism at Stratford in July.

Her nine domestic winners include success in a £35,000 veterans’ handicap chase aboard Celebre D’Allen for Philip Hobbs and Johnson White last October.

Ikigai Star was second under Gale in the 2m handicap hurdle for conditional riders after the stewards’ inquiry.

Gale becomes the second rider to receive a 28-day ban for failing to ride out to the line recently, after Alec Voikhansky was given the same punishment at Bath last month.

Callum Shepherd also had an 18-day ban for the same offence at Kempton overturned on appeal last Tuesday.

The below sequence of screenshots show Elizabeth standing up in her irons after passing the half furlong mark and then remaining unaware of her mistake until it was too late

The picture is of the subject (horseracinghof.com)

Which horse holds the record for the most Cox Plate wins?

The legendary Winx won four successive Cox Plates (2015-2018), beating the three successive wins of Kingston Town (1980-1982).