Dyce is eased up before the line in Saturday’s Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants over 1160m. His head being in the air is not because he is being eased up, it is how he runs and he manages to do it at blistering speed and without looking awkward either. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).
This season’s Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on WSB Met day January 27 is going to be a race to savour as three 130 rated horses are set to clash, Equus Champion Sprinter Isivunguvungu as well as Gimme A Prince and Dyce.
Lucky Houdalakis revealed today Dyce would be travelling down for the race as long as AHS-related travel protocols make it possible.
Regarding a preparation run beforehand he was not sure where it would happen and said, “We will do what we have to.”
All three of the aforementioned 130-rated horses are five-year-olds.
Last season Isivunguvungu and Gimme A Prince monoplised the open Gr 1 sprints arouind the country, each winning two.
Dyce will make it harder for them following his scintillating victory in Saturday’s Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants over 1160m at the Big T.
The handicappers saw fit to raise him 14 points for that 4,25 length start to finish romp.
He gave 1lg to runner up Gladatorian, which on paper puts him ahead of both Isivunguvungu and Gimme A Prince because they could only beat the latter by 2,60 lengths and one length respectively in the Gr 1 weight for age Mercury Sprint over 1200m at the end of last season.
However, the latter race was around the turn and both Isivunguvungu and Gimme A Prince put in better performances down the straight. Isivunguvungu is also better over 1000m, despite having won the Mercury Sprint.
The trio will also have the like of Rio Querari, Thunderstruck and Surjay to worry about while Bereave and We’re Jammin’ are capable on their day.
That is not to mention Equus Horse Of The Year Princess Calla, although at this stage it looks like she is targeting races over more ground.
Stuart Ferrie said yesterday Gladatorian would not be making the journey down for the Cape Flying and that is no surprise considering he is well held by Dyce.
Among the three-year-olds Future Variety, Outlaw King, Jerusaleema Rain, Ready To Charge and Captain Arrow will have to up their games considerably to be threats to the older big guns.
However, two interesting female possibilities could be October Morn and Kiss Me Captain.
October Morn was most unlucky in her last start and the Cape Flying could come too soon for her, but she looks to have the makings of a seious sprinter.
Kiss Me Captain looks to be on the up.
October Morn and Kiss Me Captain clash in the Gr 2 Southern Cross Stakes on Saturday.
That race and the Gr 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes will tell whether they, or any other females, are up to a tilt at the Cape Flying.
