The storm clouds that moved in across Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday just prior to the running of the Marshalls World Of Sport Gr3 Gold Cup were an omen that proved on the mark.
Just hours later Isivunguvungu, meaning ‘storm’ in isiXhosa, romped home in the final event of the superb season finale to bring up a century of winners for the 2021/22 season for the Hollywood Syndicate.
The Hollywood Syndicate is the racehorse ownership platform of South Africa’s leading sportsbook operator, Hollywoodbets. The goal of the unique initiative is to support the SA horseracing and breeding industry by not only investing back into horseracing, but also by taking an active role in thoroughbred racehorse ownership.
Richard Fourie steers Isivunguvungu to an impressive victory (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Getting bogged down in the ‘nervous nineties’ is an affliction most top batsmen will relate to – and it even happens in racing. After the smart looking Kitchakal won the opener at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday 24 July to bring up the 99 winner mark for the term, a long six days ensued for the Hollywood Syndicate.
But the bang in-form Winning Form-sponsored Richard Fourie, fresh off a Gr1 double on Captain’s Ransom and Jet Dark on the afternoon, which brought up his personal best of 9 Gr1 winners for the season, hit the winning ‘run’ in smashing style in the Marshalls World Of Sport Listed Umngeni Handicap as Peter Muscutt’s Isivunguvungu came home in fine style to register his maiden stakes strike.
A 3yo What A Winter colt out of the Tiger Ridge mare Miss Tweedy, the handsome gelding was bred by Narrow Creek Stud and was registering his third success from just 8 starts.
An emotional Hollywood Syndicate Racing Manager Anthony Delpech expressed his appreciation for the team effort behind the milestone and said that he valued and appreciated having had the faith and trust placed in him to do a job he ‘loved’.
The winning trainer, jockey and groom all received cash awards for the milestone.
The Hollywood team celebrate Isivunguvungu’s victory (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The enormity of achieving the milestone of 100 winners in their greatest season in 18 years is illustrated by the fact that the top team only celebrated their 200th overall winner milestone on 2 February 2021. Previous to that, the Hollywood Syndicate hit a purple patch in 2020, with 42 winners in one of the toughest years for horseracing in history.
The Hollywood Syndicate celebrated their first winner on 3 March 2002, when Splendid Night won a Maiden Plate at what is now Hollywoodbets Greyville.
The Hollywood Syndicate’s final runner of the season made it winner 101 when La Vida stormed home for trainer Brett Crawford at Kenilworth on Sunday at the final local meeting of the term.
