Isivunguvungu is congratulated by trainer Graham Motion after his superb win in the $150,000 Da Hoss Stakes (Picture via X (Ed DeRosa))
Isivunguvungu has won first time out for trainer Graham Motion on his USA debut much to the joy of South African racing fans, who were able to watch the race live as the big horse’s owners Hollywood Syndicate secured the TV rights for Gallop TV.
The Narrow Creek Stud-bred dual Gr 1-winning champion What A Winter gelding looked to be slightly slowly away under Manual Franco in the $150,000 Black Type Da Hoss Stakes over five furlongs and 110 yards on turf at Colonial Downs.
However, he used his familiar early pace to secure the rail behind the two leaders and looked as monstrous as ever as he stalked the pace.
Franco pounced into the gap that opened on the rail as they turned for home and Isivunguvungu accelerated into the lead.
It looked race over half way down the straight as he opened up a two or three length lead.
However, his lack of a race for eight months then began to tell as he started tiring, whileNothing Better began bearing down on him.
Isivunguvungu showed his courage by finding enough to keep the fast closing horse at bay to win by a neck.
There was 1,5 lengths back to the third horse Maya Prince.
Isivunguvungu was receiving four pounds from the runner up.
However, it was a fine performance coming off a layoff and it earned his connections a cool $90,000 (R1,606,500).
He should come on well for the run.
His ultimate target is the Prevagen $1million Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint over 1000m on Saturday 2 November.
Trainer Graham Motion described Isivunguvungu as a very special horse with a big following in South Africa and said he was undecided on whether there’d be another run before the Breedeers Cup Turf Sprint.
