Graeme Hawkins

It’s been more than 14 years since Michael “Lucky” Houdalakis and Piere “Striker” Strydom teamed up with JJ The Jet Plane to win the Hong Kong International Sprint (Gr1) at Shatin Racecourse in 2010. Now the pair combine with the talented Dyce in the R1,5-million Cape Flying Championship (Gr1) over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Ironically, the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool are the sponsors of the 2025 renewal of the Cape Flying Championship so in some sense it could be a case of déjà vu.

Dyce is the defending Champion having won last year’s event under Craig Zackey who will this year be aboard the 2023 winner Gimme A Prince. Following his victory last year, Dyce lost his way and owner David Shawe agreed with trainer Lucky Houdalakis that the 6yo son of William Longsword should be gelded. The unkindest cut of all worked a treat for Dyce and with Strydom now firmly a member of the Dyce partnership, he reeled off three consecutive wins before going down narrowly to Golden Sickle in December.

Many in the 14-strong field are not 1000m speed merchants but Dyce is very much at home over the minimum trip and all things being equal, he should go very close to retaining the Trophy. He is raiding Hollywoodbets Kenilworth from his base at the Vaal – as he did successfully last year – and Lucky confirmed that Dyce arrived in Cape Town on Tuesday morning in good order.

As mentioned, Zackey now rides Gimme A Prince for his “boss” Dean Kannemeyer and the multiple Grade-One winner commands huge respect. My only concern is that in recent times the Khaya Stables owned 6yo son of Gimmethegreenlight has been running over 1400m & 1600m, including an excellent third in the recent L’Ormarins Kings Plate, and he may now have lost the edge needed to come out on top over 1000m on a super-fast track. But win or lose, there is no doubt that he will be flying home over the final 200m. 

Questioning is in terrific form and is as honest and genuine as they come. He would prefer 1200m-1400m, but he has been expertly trained by Vaughan Marshall to be as sharp as can be and he came through his last run in the 1000m Winchester Cup with flying colours. He was beaten only a length by the lightning quick Candy Town but was conceding the winner as much as 10,5kgs and the 4yo son of Querari looks overpriced in the ante-post market. Bereave signalled a return to form in the Winchester Cup and although flying well under the radar, we must not forget he did run third behind Dyce in last year’s edition of the Cape Flying Championship.

Of the balance Asiye Phambili, Café Culture and Surjay make some appeal and could upset the applecart but, fit and well, Dyce could deliver for “Lucky” and “Striker” with Questioning and Gimme A Prince fancied to follow him home. The HKJC Cape Flying Championship is one of three Grade 1 races on Saturday’s World Sports Betting Cape Town Met bumper 12-race programme and is the fourth leg of the projected R10-million Pick 6.

Graeme Hawkins

Two of the more prestigious and sought after Grade 1 races for Fillies & Mares in South Africa are the Paddock Stakes over 1800m and the Majorca Stakes over 1600m, both run annually at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in January. Victory in either of these Weight-For-Age races adds significant appeal to any broodmare’s pedigree but winning both is something quite special. Double Grand Slam bagged the Cartier Paddock Stakes three weeks ago and is a firm favourite to add the Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes to her impressive record when she takes on six rivals in the 2025 renewal on Saturday.

Victory for Double Grand Slam is however no foregone conclusion as the step back in trip suits her archrival Rascova and over 1600m there has never been too much to choose between the pair. Rascova was second in the Majorca Stakes last year behind Princess Calla with Double Grand Slam a nose behind in third spot. Then in the WSB Fillies Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville in May, Rascova came out on top beating Double Grand Slam by half-a-length. The roles were then reversed in the Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes in July when they finished third and fourth behind Humdinger and more recently in the Summer Bowl when Double Grand Slam comfortably accounted for an off-colour Rascova.

There is a strong argument to be made that Double Grand Slam has made further improvement as a 4yo but the pace, or possible lack of it, in this year’s Majorca Stakes could have a meaningful impact on the outcome. Now throw into the mix the very talented 3yo Fatal Flaw, runaway winner of the WSB Fillies Guineas in early December, and one has all the ingredients for an intriguing contest. Fatal Flaw is arguably the second-best sophomore filly in the land, behind Quid Pro Quo, and the daughter of New Predator loves to dictate from the front.

Given that Rascova also likes to go forward, it will be an interesting race from a tactical perspective as to who will spearhead the field turning for home. As Piere Strydom cannot make the weight, Craig Zackey will be aboard Fatal Flaw for the very first time but, having won the WSB KZN Fillies Guineas on Rascova when leading from start to finish and holding out Double Grand Slam, Zackey knows how plucky Rascova can be over 1600m when allowed to dictate terms. So, does Zackey go forward on Fatal Flaw or take a position behind Rascova?

Scarlet Macaw was runner-up behind Fatal Flaw in the WSB Fillies Guineas and there is nothing to suggest that Candice Bass-Robinson’s filly can turn the tables here. Celtic Rumours is very useful at best but Sean Tarry’s 5yo daughter of Vercingetorix would be a surprise winner. Kinda Wonderful appears to have a mountain to climb but Roccapina, who goes beyond 1200m for the first time, is an interesting runner. She has very useful sprint form and being by One World out of a mare by Fort Wood, she could prove even more effective over this trip – only the race will tell!

Double Grand Slam deserves her place at the top of the betting boards, and shapes up as the likely winner on current form, but there are a few “if’s and but’s” and it could turn out to be a very competitive and hard fought affair.

David Thiselton

There look to be some fair opportunities for punters at Turffontein Standside today, where an eight-race meeting is being held.

The highest rated race is the sixth, a MR 98 Handicap over 1600m, and an interesting runner here is Confederate. This Fire Away gelding looks to have a lot of class, but it is surprising to see him out just nine days away from the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas. He is drawn a tricky seven today under Gavin Lerena and will not be wanting too hard a race, so certainly can’t be bankered. However, his class could still pull him through. Whafeef has been in good form and this six-year-old gelding looks to be off a competitive merit rating of 94 at present, down from a high of 107. He went close over 2000m last time out but he has never actually won beyond 1600m so this trip should be down his alley. Soldiers Eye ran a cracker in her penultimate start in a Listed race over this trip and will appreciate the step back down in trip after disappointing next time out over 1800m. She has a fair draw, although it is never easy against the boys.

In the first race of the day, a workriders race over 1000m, Cyber Spirit has a favourable high draw  by trends and in the context of this race has some reasonable form. Winter Miracle has had three starts and has shown a hint of ability. Bilingual, Chilli Marmalade and Dragon Dragon should be in the shake up too.

In the second over 1600m Golden Alexia should take a power of beating from a plum draw. She stayed on well over 1200m last time and was a touch unlucky as she was short of galloping room late. She is by Pomodoro and her Doowaly dam won four times from 1400m to 1800m, so Golden Alexia should relish the step up in trip and in form Craig Zackey rides. Apache Chief has hard-knocking form in Cape Town, which makes him a top contender. He has not raced for about six months and has a tricky draw, but Gavin Lerena is an eye-catching booking. Dylan’s Champ has hard-knocking form and should be right there again. He has a wide draw but Piere Strydom is up, which is a big bonus. Pibe de Oro tries a step up in trip and could earn from pole if able to put his last start behind him. The blinkers have been taken off which could help. The stablemate to Apache Chief is Count Huhtikuu and he looks the stable elect considering first call Highveld rider Kabelo Matsunyane is aboard, so that should be noted even if he has a very wide draw to overcome.

In the third over 1600m, Busstopinhounslow has a good draw and has struck as one who will enjoy the step up to this trip. He is progressive and can beat Don’t Cry For Me and Twelve O’Clock High.

Platina, is out of the Triple Tiara heroine Cherry On Top, and she should get out of the maiden ranks this time despite a tricky draw. Lacewing is hard-knocking and distance suited and has a good draw so can’t be ignored. Intro should be able to place in this field. Gerbera has come down to a competitive mark and can be in the shake up. Gerbera has run two nice races and should relish the step up in trip. Asiah’s Tiara could place here from a fair draw over a suitable trip.

In the fifth over 1600m, Destiny Of Fire has been facing stronger with aplomb and is the one to beat from a fair draw with Lerena up. Mocha Macaroon has come into his own and could give some cheek.  Princess Iliara is knocking on the door but does have a tricky draw. Southern Style is capable and improving and can do well from draw three. Lady Sabrina won her maiden well and can do better than last time.

In the seventh over 1600m, Across The Pond is a progressive sort who can start coming onto her own. The trip is ideal and she is drawn well. Queen Of Love is talented and will be in the shake up from draw two. Two Step Queen is capable and distance suited. Miss Scaletta has the ability to be right there.  Bosom Buddy will be right there if able to stay the trip.

In the last race over 1600m, Two Miles West has done well over further in his last two, but enjoys this trip too and is well drawn. Willow Express is capable of popping up at any time, although he is not too reliable. Doitwithdiamonds is honest who should be involved over an idea trip, although the draw of seven makes it tough. Bloomington is always capable of popping up and can never be ignored. DJ Junior returns from a three-month layoff and has Lerena up, so cannot be ignored.

RACE 1     

1 CYBER SPIRIT 3 WINTER MIRACLE 4 BILINGUAL 5 CHILLI MARMALADE

Preview: 1 CYBER SPIRIT is drawn on the right side and faces an uninspiring field. 3 WINTER MIRACLE has shown glimpses of ability and should have a say in the finish. 4 BILINGUAL has the ability to win this on a going day. CHILLI MARMALADE has shown enough top be able to earn here. (David Thiselton 1-3-4-5) 

RACE 2     

14 GOLDEN ALEXIA 1 APACHE CHIEF 4 DYLAN’S CHAMP 3 PIBE DE ORO

Preview: 14 GOLDEN ALEXIA has run two good races over shorter and has a plum draw over a suitable step up in trip. 1 APACHE CHIEF will be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw. 4 DYLAN’S CHAMP is a hard knocking sort. 3 PIBE DE ORO has shown enough to be able to earn here. (David Thiselton 14-1-4-3)

RACE 3     

3 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW 1 DON’T CRY FOR ME 2 TWELVE OCLOCK HIGH

Preview: 3 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW is a quality sort who can go close again. 1 DON’T CRY FOR ME is talented but has gone a bit off the boil although he has shown signs of being competitive again recently. 2 TWELVE OCLOCK HIGH is on the up and is a contender under Gavin Lerena. (David Thiselton 3-1-2)

RACE 4     

1 CHERRY OH BABY 2 LACEWING 4 INTRO 7 GERBERA

Preview: 1 CHERRY OH BABY should relish the step up in trip and should go close despite a tricky draw. 2 LACEWING has come down to a competitive and can be in the shake up. 4 INTRO has caught the eye in weak maidens before. and is drawn in pole over a trip which should suit. 7 GERBERA has run two good races and will go close if repeating last outing. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-7)

RACE 5     

1 DESTINY OF FIRE 2 MOCHA MACAROON 3 PRINCESS ILARIA 8 SOUTHERN STYLE

Preview: 1 DESTINY OF FIRE is on the up and should enjoy this trip. 2 MOCHA MACAROON used the confidence a win gave him to win again and this improving type can be thereabouts here too. 3 PRINCESS ILARIA is knocking on the door but does have a tricky draw. 8 SOUTHERN STYLE is capable and improving and can do well from draw three. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-8)

RACE 6     

5 CONFEDERATE 3 WHAFEEF 2 SOLDIER’S EYE 1 ARGO ALLEY

Preview: 5 CONFEDERATE looks capable of rising to a three figure merit rating and will go close if able to overcome a wide draw. 3 WHAFEEF is drawn wide but if finding cover could be right there. 2 SOLDIER’S EYE will enjoy the step back in trip and has a nice draw. 1 ARGO ALLEY is capable of  bouncing back from a rest. (David Thiselton 5-3-2-1)

RACE 7     

2 ACROSS THE POND 3 QUEEN OF LOVE 5 TWOSTEP QUEEN 1 MISS SCALETTA

Preview: 2 ACROSS THE POND has a nice big action and should be right there. 3 QUEEN OF LOVE is a talented sort who can do it from draw two. 5 TWOSTEP QUEEN is capable and distance suited.1 MISS SCALETTA has the ability to be right there in this  (David Thiselton 2-3-5-1)

RACE 8     

2 TWO MILES WEST 3 WILLOW EXPRESS 4 DOITWITHDIAMONDS 5 BLOOMINGTON

Preview: 2 TWO MILES WEST has done well over further in his last two but enjoys this trip too and is well drawn. 3 WILLOW EXPRESS is capable of popping up at any time, although he is not too reliable. 4 DOITWITHDIAMONDS is an honest sort who should be involved over an idea trip, although the draw of seven makes it tough. 5 BLOOMINGTON is always capable of poppigg up and can never be ignored. (David Thiselton 2-3-4-5)

Rugby8 Win Margin, Friday, 24 January 2025, C/Over R47 848, Pool Closes at 15h00

Soccer10 Friday 24 January 2025, ADD-IN R 150 000, Pool Closes at 21h00, Sport 7 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 2 Million

Soccer6 Saturday 25 January 2025, ADD-IN R 100 000, Pool Closes at 17h00, Sport 3 and Pool 2, Estimated Pool: R500 000

Soccer10 Saturday 25 January 2025, ADD-IN R 150 000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 12 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 2 Million.

Soccer13 Saturday 25 January 2025, Pool Closes at 16h15, Sport 10 and Pool 1, Guaranteed Jackpot: R22 Million (if only one 13 of 13 Winner)

Soccer ANY13Xtra Saturday, 25 January 2025, C/Over R200 000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 13 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool :R500 000