IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA TO THUNDER HOME IN WSB 1900
IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA has a mountain to climb from the worst of the draw in the R500 000 World Sports Betting (WSB) 1900 (Gr 2) at Hollywoodbets Greyville this afternoon, but with just a little bit of luck in running the 5yo son of champion sire Dynasty could mow down his thirteen rivals in the race which saw last year’s runner-up, Winchester Mansion, go on to win the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Being out of a mare by the brilliant High Chapparel, who was probably at his best over 2400m, I have been waiting for Imilenzeyokududuma to be tested over more ground and, while he may yet prefer even further, the step-up to 1900m this afternoon is a move in the right direction.
The last time he raced over a similar distance was back in December 2022 when finishing second behind Nexus in the 1800m Peninsula Handicap at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He finished off the race really well that day, suggesting that he would be even more effective over further, but all of his subsequent races been over shorter trips.
Imilenzeyokududuma, which means “Legs of Thunder” was named for the Hollywood Syndicate by legendary Pirates and Bafana striker, Jerry Sikhosana, whose nickname throughout his playing career was indeed “Legs Of Thunder” and jockey Athandiwe
Mgudlwa and trainer Gareth Van Zyl will be hoping that Imilenzeyokudoduma’s terrific finishing burst can carry him to victory at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.
But victory in a highly competitive renewal of the WSB 1900 won’t come easily. Justin Snaith sends out a three-pronged attack which includes Mucho Dinero, winner of four races on the bounce during the Cape Summer Season. At that stage Mucho Dinero was being touted as a leading candidate for the 2024 HDJ but his local debut at Hollywoodbets Greyville three weeks ago was hugely disappointing and clearly no reflection of his true ability.
He finished last of nine runners in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m and although the trip was on the sharp side, he should have performed a lot better than he did. That was his first run around a right-handed bend and he never appeared comfortable at any stage. His HDJ prospects will be defined by how he fares today but he is expected to put that poor last effort firmly behind him and get back on track today.
Stable companions Future Swing and Without Question are very much “alive” today and victory for either would not be a surprise. Without Question, who will be ridden by Rachel Venniker, finished a creditable third in the WSB Cape Town Met in January but has not been seen since. It’s quite possible that he may be in need of today’s run but he has loads of ability and is course suited, as evidenced by his good third in last season’s Daily News 2000 when beaten two lengths by See It Again.
FUTURE SWING
Future Swing made his Champions Season debut when a close fourth behind Narina Trogon in the Sledgehammer over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville a month ago. He now meets Narina Trogon on 1kg better terms but is 1kg worse off with Imilenzeyokududuma who was a close second on that occasion, finishing better than either Narina Trogon or Future Swing.
Atticus Finch and Oriental Charm are interesting runners. Atticus Finch, trained by Alec Laird, has cracked pole position and should get the run of the race this afternoon. He won four-in-a-row between July and November last year before finishing unplaced in the Betway Summer Cup won by Royal Victory. He was then given five months off but has not fared badly in his two comeback races over less than ideal trips. Unlike some of his rivals here today Atticus Finch will strip a very fit horse and his winning chances cannot be discounted.
Oriental Charm showed a touch of class when finishing third behind ruling HDJ favourite, Green With Envy, in the Splashout Cape Derby over 2000m at
Kenilworth in February. His dam, Souk, is by the 2004 July winner Grey’s Inn and the son of Vercingetorix could develop into a serious race horse as he matures. He is trained by last year’s HDJ-winning trainer, Brett Crawford, and his strategic decision to prepare horses on the Highveld and “raid” Champions Season has certainly paid dividends.
We are in a for a thrilling race this afternoon but I am pinning my hopes on Imilenzeyokududuma’s legs of thunder to carry him to victory and enhance his prospects of making the cut for inclusion in the final field for the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July.
KRA EAST COAST CUP (LISTED) 2000M
At this time of the year Gold Circle has pleasure in welcoming delegates from the Korea Racing Authority (KRA) to celebrate the running of the supporting feature at Hollywoodbets Greyville this afternoon, the R200 000 KRA East Coast Cup for fillies and mares over 2000m.
Today’s renewal has attracted a full field of sixteen runners and the race could be ripe for an upset result, but I am going to rely on the class packages, Saartjie and Hold My Hand, to fly the flag. The risk is that Saartjie has not raced since January and
Hold My Hand since February, but taking their fitness and current well-being on trust suggests they may carry too many guns for the opposition as they are proven at the highest level.
Saartjie finished a good second behind Bless My Stars in the 2023 Gold Bracelet over track and trip and she continued to hold her form through the Cape Summer Season, winning the Victress Stakes over 1800m in December.
HOLD MY HAND
Hold My Hand ran a shocker in her last start at Fairview but stakes a huge claim on her previous record. The Glen Kotzen stable is back in form and it’s significant that high-riding Richard Fourie has taken the ride and a solid effort can be expected from the usually game and consistent daughter of Gold Standard.
Future Girl has drawn badly for today’s race but rates a threat, as there is not much to choose between her and Hold My Hand on the evidence of their one-two finish at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 13 January.
But Future Girl blotted her copybook badly in her most recent outing when reportedly over-racing badly at Turffontein in the Igugu Stakes. Her stable companion, Donna Mo, is as consistent as they come and may be good enough to handle the rise in class this afternoon but wherever she finishes Poorlittlerichgirl should not be too far away. If Saartjie and Hold My Hand fluff their lines, the list of potential winners becomes long and punters are faced with a difficult decision as to how to play this leg of the exotics.