Dyce bounces back with a cosy win at Turffontein Inside (JC Photos)
Gr 1-winning sprint star Dyce benefited from the patience of his connections and bounced back to winning ways at Turffontein Inside on Saturday.
The Lucky Houdalakis-trained six-year-old William Longsword gelding Dyce came from off the pace in a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1000m after showing the good cruising speed he is known for under Piere Strydom and he then produced the strong finish he is also known for to win by a comfortable 0,75 lengths despite carrying 62kg.
Dyce was in line to be the Equus Champion Sprinter last season after winning the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship.
However, after two below par runs back on the Highveld and another below par run in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint, Houdalakis decided to back off him and put him away instead of having a tilt at the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint.
He said last week, “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 demonstrated on Saturday he has his zest for racing back, so it was a wise move by the connections to back off him and let him fight for the big prizes this season instead.
He is still lightly raced and in fact his eight career wins, including a Gr 1, a Gr 2, a Gr 3 and a Listed race, have come from only 18 starts.
He should still be able to produce his best, despite being a six-year-old, and an interesting season lies in store.
