Brett Crawford recorded back-to-back wins in the R5 Million Hollywoodbets Durban July when three-year-old Oriental Charm made most of the running to record a famous victory in the 128th running of Africas greatest horse race. The colt is owned by Greg Bortz, Leon Ellman and Gina Goldsmith.
Rider JP van der Merwe put it all on the line by taking his mount to the front shortly after the start and the colt held on gamely from outsider Cousin Casey, Royal Victory and Flag Man.
Top weight See It Again was a touch unlucky after being involved in some scrimmaging around the 1400m mark and Piere Strydom was then forced to check off the heels of the winner, who cut across his bows shortly before that line.
Favourite Green With Envy had every chance and although running on stoutly, he did not make up the ground fast enough and finished some two lengths off the winner.
Oriental Charm enjoyed the exact same preparation for the race as stable companion Winchester Mansion last year, running second in the Gr2 WSB 1900 and following up with by winning the G3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial as Crawford plotted a meticulous passage into the big race.
