Greg Bortz (left) was an appropriate owner of last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Oriental Charm and Devin Heffer (right) of Hollywoodbets was on hand to congratulate him. Hollywoodbets partnered with Bortz to get things done in Cape Town, bringing about a dramatic change in the region’s fortunes, and the same is about to officially happen in KZN. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).
David Mollett
“No time for talking, only for doing.” One could be forgiven if you felt this was a quote by American President, Donald Trump, who has certainly made waves since his inauguration. In fact, it was from an interview given by Devin Heffer, the livewire Brand & Communications manager of Hollywoodbets.
In a short space of time, Devin has combined passion and intellect to make his own waves in the racing world and his father, Hollywood founder Owen Heffer, must be hugely proud of his son.
Apart from their tie up with Cape Racing and sponsorship of Premier League club Brentford, Hollywood took a leaf out of moves usually associated with Godolphin and Coolmore overseas by buying into the country’s top three year-old, One Stripe.
So this was the right time to approach Devin and ask him some questions that will put racing fans in the picture for future plans.
MOLLY: Grateful if you could let me know the plans for One Stripe after his race in the Cape next month. No surprise if your dad fancies a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup!
DEVIN: Yes, the Breeders’ Cup is definitely on the cards. This is massive for both Rikesh Sewgoolam (who still owns a minority share in the horse) and the Hollywood Racing team. Following the big Cape race on the 16th of March, One Stripe will be prepped for quarantine. There have been changes to the flight dates, so we are just waiting for confirmation. When he won the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, he earned automatic entry into the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (Grade 1). We look forward to returning to Del Mar once again this year, hopefully with two runners (if you throw in Isivunguvungu) on the day.
MOLLY: I see “Isi” ran third in Tampa on Saturday. What did you make of that run? Is he still on track for Dubai?
DEVIN: Isivunguvungu had his first run since the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint last November, so he was possibly in need of the outing. His trainer, Graham Motion, felt he may have been one breeze-up short but decided to take the chance as he was the class in the race. This race was to bring him on for the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai, and Isi certainly didn’t disgrace himself, finishing a strong third. Drawn wide in stall 11, he had to work hard and was forced five-wide into the straight on the tight track. The winner, drawn inside him, got the jump, but Isi finished just ¾ of a length behind and showed exactly what we wanted to see. I think it’s important to mention that they flew in the race, running the first quarter-mile in 21 seconds and the race time was 55.47 for the 5 furlongs! We’re unsure if he’ll have another run before Dubai, as he tends to perform best when fresh. With six weeks to go, Graham will likely aim him straight at the big race. He pulled up sound on Sunday, so we’re happy, and he remains on track.
MOLLY: Finally, do you have any runners going to Cheltenham?
DEVIN: Unfortunately, Il Etait Temps will not be running at Cheltenham this year. He has struggled with injuries over the past few months and has only recently started showing signs of being sound. It’s still uncertain whether he will race this season, but Willie Mullins will keep us updated. There is the gelding Karbau who we own a minority share in with Barnane Stud, who could feature on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival.
My thanks to Devin for his response – right now he’d get my vote for the Equus “Personality-of-the-Year” award.
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103 and counting. No, it’s not the score of a Protea batsman. Rather its the current tally of winners Willie Mullins has saddled at the Cheltenham festival making him the most successful trainer in the history of the famous meeting.
This year’s Cheltenham meeting (March 11-14) is of particular significance for the 68 year-old Irish trainer. If Galopin Des Champs wins the Gold Cup he will join two other greats – Arkle and Best Mate – as a three-time winner of the prestigious race.
“It’s extraordinary that we have the opportunity to do that – to be mentioned in the same breath as Arkle and Best Mate,” said Mullins in one of his many media interviews.
The bookies make Galopin Des Champs the 1-2 favourite and he’s rated the banker bet at the meeting.
Banbridge (6-1) might be his biggest danger if connections decide to run.
Mullins regards his prolific jumper as “a very laidback customer and he’s come out of the Irish Gold Cup in good nick.”
Despite the obvious claims of the favourite Constitution Hill, jockey Danny Mullins is confident the stable’s classy performer, Lossiemouth, can give the Henderson inmate a battle in the Champion Hurdle.
Of course – like all top stables – the Mullins operation relies on its talented staff and assistant, David Casey, plays an important role.
So it was interesting when asked his fancies for the festival that he came up with the following four horses:
1. Galopin Des Champs – his record speaks for itself.
2. Majborough – a huge runner in the Arkle – I think the race is made for him. Interestingly, Harry Skelton feels L’eau Du Sud can trouble the Mullins runner. “He ticks a lot of boxes.”
3. Dinoblue – she can go well in the Mares Chase.
4. Jade De Grugy should be right there in the Mares Hurdle.
Personally, I am having two serious punts at the festival, Il Est Francais and East India Dock.
Following his great run in the King George at Kempton in December, French-trained, Il Est Francais, is 4-1 favourite for the Ryanair and 7-1 for the Queen Mothers Champion Chase. Jockey James Reveley prefers the longer distance of the Ryanair.
James Owen has made a bright start to his training career and East India Dock – the likely mount of Sam Twiston-Davies – is worth supporting in whichever race connections choose.
