Isivunguvungu is pictured winning the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Compuatform Sprint. (Picture: Chase Liebenberg)
The SA-bred What A Winter gelding Isivunguvungu is scheduled to have his third run in the USA, and his first since finishing a luckless seventh in the 2024 Prevagen Breeders Cup Turf Sprint last November, when he runs in the $125 000 Listed Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in Florida on Saturday.
The former Equus Champion Sprinter has drawn 11 out of 14 in the turf 1000m contest, which is off at 23h58 SA time on Saturday night.
Although the sprint is run around the turn, trainer Graham Motion said that the draw was not necessarily a negative.
Given the 15 odd weeks since his last start, Isivunguvungu is realistically likely to need the outing, and his trainer feels he may be one work outing short, but indicates that his charge has nevertheless done enough to come on with the run under the belt.
He has been putting in some cracking workouts according to video evidence.
Isivunguvungu will be in good hands on Saturday under Samuel Marin, who has ridden 31 winners this year and 111 winners at Tampa Bay Downs overall.
Marin arrived in the United States from Venezuela in 2021 unable to speak english and having never ridden on the grass. In late 2024 he was the leading rider at the all-turf Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet – an achievement he is now happy to discuss in fluent English!
After an arduous intercontinental journey from South Africa and a lengthy period in quarantine, Isivunguvungu won his first start in the USA when triumphant in the 17th renewal of the $150 000 1100m Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs in September 2024.
Graham Motion is prepping the Hollywood Racing flagbearer for the $1,5 million Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint, which is run on turf over 1200 m at the Dubai World Cup racemeeting at Meydan on Saturday 5 April.
The Narrow Creek-bred son of Equus Champion What A Winter is the only SA bred galloper amongst 172 entries from 120 countries for the rich racemeeting. The sprint has attracted stars such as defending champion California Spangle, as well as Hong Kong compatriots Howdeepisyourlove and Invincible Sage.
Television viewing options for the Tampa Bay Downs race on Sunday morning are to be advised on.
