Peter Muscutt’s promising 3yo Isivunguvungu suggested he could be one for the notebook with an eyecatching victory in the R150 000 Listed In Full Flight Handicap at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
In a quality field that included a handful of Gr1 winners, Isivunguvungu lived up his name – it means ‘storm’ in isiXhosa – when lifting late to beat the 7yo Socrates (7-1) by 2,50 lengths in a time of 62,36 secs for the straight 1100m.
Isivunguvungu charges home under Keagan de Melo (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The 4yo Mount Pleasant, a 106 who once raised off a rating of 127, dashed through powerfully late to grab third.
Hollywood Syndicate Manager Anthony Delpech declared himself ‘impressed’ after the progressive 3yo Isivunguvungu had stamped his authority under his galloping weight.
“I was concerned that it was his second run after a rest. But Peter (Muscutt) has done a great job with him. Well done to the whole team,” added the former champion jockey. The Hollywood Syndicate celebrated their 299th winner in the process.
Trainer Peter Muscutt was relieved after conceding that it had been a ‘rush job’ getting the smart speedster ready.
“He is a nice horse in the making and gelding has made all the difference. Once he got cover, he dropped the bit beautifully. That was encouraging and I think there is quite a bit left in the tank for him!” he added.
A winner of 2 races with 1 place from 5 starts and stakes of R177 750, Isivunguvungu was bred by the Narrow Creek Stud and was purchased privately by the Hollywood Syndicate ahead of the 2020 BSA National Yearling Sale.
Isivunguvungu, meaning ‘storm’ in isiXhosa is a son of What A Winter (Western Winter) out of the Tiger Ridge mare Miss Tweedy, who won 4 races from 1400m to a mile.
OFFICIAL RESULT:
| No. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Distance | Betting | ||||
| 1st | 3 | ISIVUNGUVUNGU | K de Melo | P B Muscutt | —- | 5/2 | |||
| 2nd | 7 | SOCRATES | D Dillon | S W Humby | 2.50 | 2.50 | 7/1 | ||
| 3rd | 9 | MOUNT PLEASANT (AUS) | M Yeni | D C Howells | 0.20 | 2.70 | 10/1 | ||
| 4th | 4 | AMBIORIX | S Khumalo | V H Marshall | 0.75 | 3.45 | 4/1 | ||
| 5th | 2 | PRAY FOR RAIN | A Mgudlwa | D R Drier | 0.05 | 3.50 | 25/1 | ||
| Time of Race : 62.36s | |||||||||
| Tote Favourite:
ISIVUNGUVUNGU |
Distance : – Betting : 5/2 | ||||||||
