Piere Strydom makes it two from two on the top sprinter Dyce (JC Photos)
Lucky Houdalakis said if everything was still going well for Dyce in January the chances were good he would travel down to Cape Town to defend his crown in the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship.
However, the William Longsword gelding needs to work on light tracks, which he has at the Vaal and would not have in Cape Town, so if he does go he will travel in and and out for the race.
It was for that reason i.e. the unsuitable tracks in Cape Town, that he did not stay in Cape Town last season for the Diadem.
There are also the big sprints on the Highveld and KZN to take into account, so he will want to get back from Cape Town as quickly as possible if he does go down there.
Dyce was rested at the end of last season as is well documented and has come back in fine fettle, winning his first two starts this season.
Lucky said he had come out of those two impressive wins well and was “flying”.
He said, “I have just put him in the paddock and will just play with him until his next race. ”
Piere Strdyom has ridden Dyce in both of his wins this season and Lucky confirmed he would keep the ride.
He said, “We put him on because Craig (Zackey) has to ride for Lady Laidlaw. Piere is very good with this kind of horse.”
Lucky is looking forward to “the season” to see how his best young horses do and he mentioned Musical Score (Oratorio), Wild Intent (Gimmethegreenlight) and Willy Meet Again (William Longsword).
He said, “I’m not jumping the gun, there are no heroics yet, so we will wait and see what develops.”
Lucky ran one-two in the Grand Heritage two years ago for his chief owner Dave Shawe, who also owns Dyce, Wild Intent and Willy Meet Again, among others, and he mentioned the progressive Dave Shawe-owned Master Christmas (Master Of My Fate) as a potential candidate for this year’s Grand Heritage.
