Vercingetorix looks to be taking over the Hollywoodbets Durban July crown from his illustrious sire Silvano, with Cheveley Stud bred Oriental Charm digging deep from Cousin Casey at the finish line. Silvano held an incredible record with the July – in the year of Heavy Metal who produced the first four past the post, and last won the race in 2022 with Sparkling Water.
Maine Chance sire Vercingetorix looks to have stepped up into his sires footsteps. Vercingetorix has produced 12 Black Type wins this season, and Oriental Charm began putting his hand up as a serious contender earlier in Champions Season when finishing second to Future Swing in the World Sports Betting 1900, following up to win the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial – going into the Hollywoodbets Durban July perfectly prepared. The son of Souk by Durban July winning sire Greys Inn, appears to adore the Hollywoodbets Greyville course with a tremendous record.
Vercingetorix enjoyed a feature double on the day, as his consistent Sabine Plattner bred and owned Cape Eagle won the July consolation on the day by almost two lengths, Gr3 Splashout 2200 for trainer Andre Nel and Summerveld conditioner, Byron Foster. He was ridden by Serino Moodley.
Winning connections of the Hollywoodbets Durban July! Images: Candiese Lenferna
Purchased for R375 000 off the 2022 National Yearling Sale, Oriental Charm descends from the family of Daphne Donnelly, interestingly enough the same female line as his American-bound stablemate, Frances Ethel. Dam Souk was a 3-time winner and placed in the Sweet Chestnut Listed. She is out of a full sister to Bouquet-Garni, winner of the Gr1 SA Derby.
The race gave Brett Crawford and his son James Crawford back to back victories following on from Winchester Mansion last year, for elated owners Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith, in partnership with Leon Ellman. Greg has enjoyed prior Gr1 success with Pomp And Power, another son of Vercingetorix who won the Cape Derby.
It is the second Durban July win for breeder Vaughan Koster of Cheveley Stud. Cheveley Stud is on 44% winners to runners for the season with an AEPR of just over R83 000 per runner. Thirteen year old Souk has produced three winners to date and was covered by Fire Away for the 2024 season.
Congratulations to all concerned with Oriental Charm.
Watch the race:
20240706 Hollywoodbets Greyville Race 7 won by ORIENTAL CHARM
This channel features race replays from the most recent horse racing event in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, at Hollywoodbets Greyville, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, Hollywoodbets Durbanville or Hollywoodbets Scottsville, as well as interviews with jockeys, trainers, and owners immediately after the race.
