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Horse Racing, General News, SHELDON, CHYAVANA, DYCE, Lucky Houdalakis, Richard Fourie, FRANCILIEN, MOUNT PINATUBO, KOMATI RIVER, STONEYWOOD

Dyce returns to action at the Vaal

October 2025

Jack Milner

There is no doubt that Dyce has been – and hopefully still is – one of the best sprinters of the last few years.

The seven-year-old gelding has only raced 22 times for 10 wins and eight places and among those is a victory in the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in 2024. He has earned in excess of R2-million and he is not done yet.

However, the son of William Longsword has not been the easiest of horses to train over the years to have trained as his soundness has always been an issue. But all credit has to go to the perseverance of trainer Lucky Houdalakis and the patience of owner Dave Shawe in getting this gelding to the racecourse and being able to perform at such a high level.

Dyce has not been seen in action since finishing fourth in this year’s Cape Flying Championship in January title behind Equus Champion Sprinter Gimme A Prince, but he will make his return at the Vaal on Thursday when he lines up in Race 5, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m.

He built up a good rapport with jockey Piere Strydom over the past 18 months, but such is the allure of this star sprinter that former champion jockey Richard Fourie will be making the journey.

Interestingly Fourie, who makes the trip to the Highveld for four rides, partners both Dyce as well as his full-brother, Stoneywood, a debutant for the Houdalakis outfit in Race 2 over 1200m.

Dyce does have a habit of coming back well when racing fresh so the 257-day break might not be too much of a concern.

He is the best weighted runner in this race but by only 1kg, and once one looks past him this looks quite an open race.

The main threat is likely to come from Mount Pinatubo who has won two of his last four starts and placed in the other two.

The four-year-old son of Erupt came back from three-month break last time and did well enough to run a 1.30-length third behind Quantum Theory. He will be fitter for the run and should contest the finish with Sean Veale in the irons.

Mount Pinotubo is one of three runners from the Johan Janse van Vuuren yard and the other two, Chyavana and Sheldon, are not without chances either. Sheldon, in particular, has hit top form and he has a second place and a victory under Louis Nhlapo.

Punters should also note the same Houdalakis-Fourie combination team up in Race 4, a MR 93 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, where consistent filly Francilien is expected to regain winning form. She was narrowly denied by Komati River in a similar contest last month but is 1kg better off, and with Fourie replacing Craig Zackey the tables should be turned.

However, Tony Peter’s charge was well handled by 4kg claiming apprentice Girish Samo-Burthia and after looking beaten by Francilien, was actually pulling away at the end of that race.

Peter felt his charge had a massive winning chance on that occasion and the daughter of Vercingetorix is not without a winning chance. Swinger and Exactas are advised.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 11 Queen Of Pearls, 7 Come Together, 2 Dondoyaki, 15 Truly Magical

Race 2: 11 Space Mission, 6 Geostorm, 12 Stoneywood, 1 Milan's World

Race 3: 4 Blindfire, 6 Golden Aspen, 1 Gimmeforsure, 5 Time For Charity

Race 4: 2 Francilien, 4 Komati River, 6 Flight Of A Condor, 7 Limerick Lace

Race 5: 1 Dyce, 5 Mount Pinatubo, 12 Karate Kid, 10 Sheldon

Race 6: 11 Palace Prince, 5 Mastership, 7 Birthright, 12 Unsolved Riddle

Race 7: 2 Page Boy, 3 Mizzen Sword, 4 Peace Treaty, 5 Zoombomber

Race 8: 3 Kiss Of Fire, 8 Pomozelous, 4 Bold Action, 7 Instant Attraction

Race 9: 2 Dimako's Jet, 5 Future Date, 1 Free In Seattle, 9 Pretty Analia

 

BEST BET

Race 1: 11 Queen Of Pearls

VALUE BET

Race 9: 2 Dimako's Jet

BEST SWINGER

Race 4 2x4

 

BIPOT                          

R324

Leg 1: 6, 11, 12

Leg 2: 1, 4, 6

Leg 3: 2, 4

Leg 4: 1, 5, 12

Leg 5: 5, 7

Leg 6: 2, 3, 4

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 4, 6

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 1, 5

Leg 4: 5, 7

Leg 5: 2, 3, 4

Leg 6: 3, 8

Leg 7: 1, 2, 5

 

PICK 6

R2160

Leg 1: 2, 4

Leg 2: 1, 5, 12

Leg 3: 5, 7, 11

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Leg 5: 3, 4, 7, 8

Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9

 

JACKPOT 1

R180

Leg 1: 1, 5, 12

Leg 2: 5, 7, 11

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Leg 4: 3, 4, 7, 8

 

JACKPOT 2

R360

Leg 1: 5, 7, 11

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Leg 3: 3, 4, 7, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9

 

 

 

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