Picture: Isivunguvungu in a work out at Del Mar racecourse this week. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
David Mollett
Isivunguvungu’s task in Saturday’s Breeders Cup Sprint at Del Mar in California got that much tougher on Monday when SA’s sprinting star drew a wide berth in the 12-runner field.
In an exclusive interview with Turf Talk, Devin Heffer, brand and communications manager at Hollywoodbets,said: “Isivunguvungu is drawn 10 out of 12. We of course would have preferred to have been drawn on the inside, but there are a few factors in our favour.”
“We have the favourite Cogburn (fastest horse in the USA) drawn 9 on the inside and Bradsell (UK champion sprinter) drawn at 12 on our outside. So being surrounded by speed should hopefully suit.”
“We have done an analysis on draws and the average draw for the winner of the BC Sprint is 7.3 meaning the winner can come from anywhere. And, just for good measure, and a lucky omen for us, is number 10 is the purple saddle cloth.”
“There are about 30 of us making the trip. This includes Owen and his friends who have been frequenting the BC since 1997. We have Anthony Delpech (our Hollywood syndicate racing manager), Peter Muscutt who trained Isivunguvungu and Odwa Ndungane (HW brand ambassador and former Springbok) who named the horse, Mike De Kock and the Ridgemont team.”
“We are flying to LA then bussing through to San Diego and we are staying at La Jolla and should be there on Thursday afternoon. Odwa and Peter arrive earlier and will be at the stable with photographer Candiese Lenferna to see Isi and trainer Graham Motion.”
Bookmaker reaction to the draw from Ladrokes was to ease Bradsell from 3-1 to 33-10 with 25-1 available about Isivunguvungu.
My view is that George Boughey’s sprinter, Believing, needs to be included in all bets.
In the care of trainer Steve Asmussen, the 13-8 favourite, Cogburn, a son of Not This Time, has won eight of his 14 starts and really impressed when winning the Gr 1 Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga in record time.
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When Warren Lenferna announced from Hollywoodbets Greyville that well-known tipster, Shaheen Shaw, had passed away, there would have been an audible gasp of disbelief amongst the racing fraternity.
Shaw would have been the first to admit that his career had encountered some turbulence, but he seemed to have found his perfect niche as tipster for Hollywoodbets.
Social media – notably the Sporting Post – published numerous posts of disbelief and praise for the energy Shaheen brought to the sport.
My sixpence-worth was that Shaheen – a close colleague for many years at Tellytrack in Rivonia – was that he was a “character and every sport needs its characters.”
I added that the Cape-based tipster was – in a way – similar to the colourful late John McCririck who built up a big following in the UK.
Multi-award winning journalist, Charl Pretorius, posted that “Shaheen was one of a kind. The many memorable moments will remain. He was inspiring and uplifting with his uncanny sense of humour; his side-splitting imitations of everyone from politicians and race callers and his descriptive way of putting his deepest emotions into words.”
“Very recently, he expressed his grave disappointment in the violence, hatred and war in the world and expressed a wish he would one day reincarnate in an ideal peaceful world with Rasheeda, his “Miami blonde” by his side. She is sweet, like a Mango he wrote in a text message.”
“Love you, matey, give ’em stick,” concluded Pretorious.
Shanil Singh posted “Shaheen as a presenter increased betting pools by his loyal followers whenever he urged them on. What a joy he was on weekday nights presenting UK meetings.”
“He spoke the language punters idolised by connecting with the punter. His famous words when a roughie won, . ‘There will always be the shrewdies’.”
I believe Shaheen’s enthusiasm was contagious and attracted numerous newcomers to the sport. Yes, Sunshine, you were special.
