While they are far too serious about horseracing to be tagged Abbott & Costello, seasoned racing men Shaheen Shaw and Rouvaun Smit have brought a new dimension of fun and interaction for Hollywoodbets customers.
Their ‘meet ‘n greet’ roadshows at selected purple outlets in the Cape and KZN over the past few weeks have been well received.
The duo travelled to KZN last week for a whistle-stop tour that included visits to various outlets in the regions, and an on-course experience of a raceday at Hollywoodbets Greyville and Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
For former Tellytrack icon Shaheen Shaw, Sunday’s visit to the KZN Capital City racetrack was a first.
Hollywoodbets Greyville hospitality! Donavan Vere, Anthony Delpech, Shaheen Shaw and Rouvaun Smit at the races last Wednesday (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“It is a scenic and very friendly racecourse, even though I got cleaned up six love in straight sets after Rouvaun found a nice value Place Accumulator for us at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday!” said Shaheen, whose popular thrice-weekly pod and videocast ‘A Shaw Thing’ is growing in popularity.
It was in fact Shaheen’s first visit to a racecourse in eight years.
“Having my once waning interest in racing refreshed, my love of the game heightened, due to not only meeting so many fellow punters, but also, very importantly, due to the way Hollywood run the ship, and treat all their staff – what a great feeling! The way we were welcomed and treated was unexpected – superb! But that is what Hollywood is all about. It brought me great pleasure to see how much they appreciate, value and reward their clerks and tellers. No wonder they are so bloody competent and good – they’re appreciated! Such appreciation was completely foreign to the Company I worked for in the past!” said the straightshooting racing addict.
Shaheen & Rouvan on tour! Hollywoodbets Chatsworth Branch Manager Yogan Naidoo (front, centre) and Regional Manager, Kuben Moodley meet with the busy duo
He added that walking into Chatsworth Branch ‘was a stroll down memory lane’.
“The place was packed with racing punters, just like the good old days – it actually made me both nostalgic and emotional. So many were there to forget their woes, relax and fire – and most deservedly in a clean, bright, air-conditioned setting with staff and management that actually care.”
Shaheen said that he also relished leading in a Hollywood Syndicate winner.
“Also, on a personal note, and being the father of a child suffering mental disability, meeting Shane at the Bluff was special. He is there when the branch opens and leaves when it closes. The staff adore him, the punters look after him, and Hollywood is his home. I’m told that he often strolls down to the robots to tell people that they must come visit Hollywood. He has his own little advertising campaign going. After my visit, I’m convinced that racing is far from dead!”
Rouvaun Smit is one of South Africa’s leading racecallers.
He told the Sporting Post that he had enjoyed every moment of the KZN tour.
“Not only did we get to meet some wonderful loyal customers, but we also made life-long friends, and feel like part of the family. Coupled with the fact that it was a learning experience of note, to be part of Hollywood’s meticulous approach to the ever changing needs and demands of punters was wonderful. Everything from start to finish was made so easy for us and we cannot thank everyone enough,” he concluded.
Look out for the team at an outlet near you soon!
