South African Dubai World Cup day flagbearer Isivunguvungu, who contested the Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint on Saturday, will return to his US home base on Wednesday, down but definitely not out, and will be programmed to contest races during the summer.
Christophe Soumillon and Isivunguvungu at Meydan on Saturday (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
That was the word to the Sporting Post from veteran trainer Graham Motion early on Sunday morning, after Hollywood Racing’s son of What A Winter had emptied the manger and thankfully appeared to be none the worse for the experience.
The now 6yo Isivunguvungu had never finished double digit lengths back in any of his previous 18 starts, a number of which were at Grade 1 level.
On Saturday the dual SA Gr1 winner started at 16-1 and was beaten 11,50 lengths behind the British mare, Believing.
“He was quite sharp on the day and perhaps in hindsight it might have proven a better option that we should have let him go on. He didn’t seem to appreciate being taken back. He had to check a little bit and emptied out after that. He will be very competitive back home,” added trainer Graham Motion.
Christophe Soumillon – no joy on Saturday (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Ten times Champion jockey of France, Christophe Soumillon was in the irons on Saturday and had ridden Isivunguvungu twice before in SA.
At both those starts (a second and Gr1 third) over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the son of What A Winter had been covered up until late, and then produced into the final 200m. It seems that was the intended strategy on Saturday.
Soumillon said: “I was in a good position but he didn’t quicken.”
A number of big names ran below best on the day.
Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner and reigning sprint champion Straight No Chaser was found to be lame following his disappointing eighth place finish in the Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Saudi Cup exertions were attributed to some of the other disappointments.
On a tough day for punters, only one fancied runner arrived in the nine races.
The Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge, which has paid out over R38,2 million in four years, hosted a once-off competition on the Dubai World Cup meeting.
Only one of the 10 399 participating players, Dotti (233,69 points), managed to find 5 winners.
Mr shiesty took the lion’s share of the R20 000 cash prize that was shared amongst the top 25, after he topped the leaderboard with 4 winners and 248 points.
