Dyce destroys them in the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants last December (JC Photos)
Dyce makes his reappearance at the Turffontein Inside track on Saturday in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1000m and hopefully he is over whatever it was that was bothering him in the second half of last season.
Trainer Lucky Houdalakis revealed the son of William Longsword had begun haemoconcentrating after returning to the Highveld from his successful raid of Cape TIown, where he won the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship in scintillating fashion, and he then did not have enough time to recover from gelding when following an unplaced run in a Gr 3 with unplaced runs in both the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint and Gr 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint. It was decided then to back off him and allow him to get his zest back and hopefully after having the pressure taken off him and being freshened up he will be able to show the high cruising speed followed by the devastating kick he is known for. Piere Strydom up is a bonus, but the meastro will have his work cut out from draw eight out of eleven. Dyce is the best weighted, being 2,5kg and more better off with the field according to official merit ratings, but he will be ring rusty and can’t be bankered. William Robertson is another class customer and he also returns from a layoff. He hasn’t been seen out since March and he also has a tricky draw of seven. At his best he will be a contender. Of those who are racing fit Rulership makes most appeal. He has done well since relocating to the Tony Peter yard and has a good draw of four over an ideal trip. He comes off a disappointing run, but was drawn unfavourably low that time at Turffontein Standside. Sheldon has won over course and distance before and is consistent, but has a tough draw of eleven. Anfields Rocket is back in form and is drawn well in two, although Muzi Yeni carries 1kg overweight. Mover And Shaker is ideally course and distance suited but might have to do a bit of work to get to the front from draw ten.
The seventh race is a MR 95 handicap over 1450m and Cape Lights, who comes off a fifth place finish to the decent Mascherina in the Listed Off To Stud Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, is in consistent form and is well drawn over a suitable trip and is only two points higher than her highest winning mark. Brave Viking is ideally distance suited and the Joe Soma yard is in good form and he has a a fair draw of five. Max The Magician drops back to an ideal trip and is drawn in pole, but he is four points higher than his last win. Princeofgreen is distance suited and has the form to have a chance, but a wide draw makes it tricky. Bob’s Your Uncle is in consistent form, but has a wide draw. King’s Ransom will relish the step back to 1400m and has a fair draw.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 2000m the St. John Gray yard are in good form and Gamer caught the eye last time over 1600m. He is settling better and now tries 2000m and has landed pole position, which should give him the cover he needs. High Queue should be right there on form, but draw six of nine is not ideal. City Of Lights has been knocking hard for a long time and has a good opportunity here over a trip he is proven over from draw two. Manz Knight has the ability if it pans out well and it might do under Piere Strydom from draw five. Roll Of The Dice should be thereabouts from a good draw.
In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 2600m Zeus is reunited with Gavin Lerena, who has been aboard for all ten of his wins. He is officially 2,5kg under sufferance in this Pinnacle Stakes event, despite having to carry 60kg but he could bounce back to his classy best under Lerena. Prime Example is 5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Special Charm, but won in eyecatching style last time and coming from the Weiho Marwing yard he should be super fit and ready to go close from pole position. Raiseahallelujah is a tough stayer who should be in the shake up. Good Council has shown class before and stays the trip. Special Charm ran a cracking third in the Gr 2 Tabgold Oaks over 2400m and has a chance, especially as she is best weighted.
In the fifth race over 1800m Atarime is in fine form and off a five point higher mark and from a good draw over a suitable step up in trip can claim the hattrick. Fushini Inari can go close if repeating his last run although the draw of six is not ideal. Al Akhtaar has 7,25 lengths to make up on Atarime, but is 2kg better off and will appreciate the step up in trip. Douglas Dragon won his maiden well and looks reasonably merit rated on 77. Apache Son is in good form, but has a tough draw to overcome and has to overcome a three point raise.
In the last race over 1450m Wolf Mountain looks to have a fair merit rating on his form and can go close. We Are The Logans has shown a lot of ability before and bounced back to form last time. Run For Cover is drawn in pole over an ideal trip and should go close. Kahskaval has the ability to be right there and goes well for Nathan Klink. Turbo Power comes off a good 1200m win and is well drawn over a trip he has won over before, but he has to overcome a four point raise.
In the first leg of the Bipot over 1450m Flight Engineer has run two fair races over course and distance and has a good opportunity in this line up. Ichacha and Dance King should go close too.
In the first leg of the PA Fireburst ran a good debut after being backed and can go one better, although she does have the widest draw. Ancient Wisdom made a good debut and the form has been franked and she has a fair draw. Those two could enable punters to double up in both the Bipot and Place Accumulator.
