Thoroughbred horse racing in South Africa dates back over a century and in that time there have been a myriad of stories that have touched the heart, from tales of good fortune to heart-rending disappointments, such is the nature of the sport.
Sifiso and proud Mom, Phateka after a memorable race (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Andrew Harrison writes that it was a tale of fortune at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
From waiting tables in the Durban Viewroom Restaurant at Hollywoodbets Greyville to the winner’s enclosure for apprentice Sifisokuhle Bungane, his mother Phatheka, a chef at the popular Durban venue, there to lead him in for his first win in the third race.
Not always the easiest according to Glen Kotzen’s KZN assistant John Buckler, Wings Of Josephine behaved herself with the addition of a compression mask but as former champion jockey MJ Odendaal once commented, ‘no jockey ever forgets the name of his first winner’, and Wings Of Josephine will be forever etched in Bungane’s memory.
Wings Of Josephine made all the running and Bungane was looking around for dangers a long way out. Well-backed favourite Are You Sure tried to keep pace but through the final furlong it was clearly a forlorn chase.
- Ed -The Sporting Post has an interview scheduled with the winner this week.
