June 2025 News

The first Saturday in July is always hugely anticipated, not only by owners, trainers, jockeys, and daily racegoers, but also the fashionistas and their entourages. The day has twelve races, three on the Polytrack and nine on the Turf and you race from early afternoon into the evening under the lights.

The James Crawford stable has six horses running on the day, two in the third race, two in the eighth race and two in the main race, the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Below are brief profiles of his runners, which is an addition to the stable comments which will be available on Friday evening/ Saturday morning on the website.

RACE 7 – HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY (Grade 1)

ORIENTAL CHARM

Age:       4 (at last run)

Sex:       c

M/Rating: 127 (at last run)

Owner: Messrs Greg Bortz & Leon Ellman, Ms Gina Goldsmith & The Oriental Charm Syndicate

Breeder: Cheveley Stud

Trainer:  J Crawford

Breeding: Vercingetorix – Souk by Greys Inn (USA)

Colours: Aquamarine, dark grey seams, aquamarine sleeves, dark grey armbands, striped cap

Oriental Charm has had an incredible six months of racing before his well-deserved break at the end of January 2025. His wins included winning the Hollywoodbets Durban July and running second in the WSB Cape Town Met, before his last run in June 2025 (he was given a five-month break after his Met run), where he finished a brilliant second to distance specialist Dave The King over 1600M at Greyville Racecourse.

As confirmed by James and JP, he was not fully ready after his layoff, and there was “meat left on the bone” to work with in the lead up to the July. James has confirmed that his preparations have gone flawlessly leading into the July.

He is drawn perfectly at one, and with his good gate speed should be able to get to the head of affairs without overextending himself. Yes, he carried 53kg last year and now carries 60kg and has to give Eight on Eighteen (two points higher in the ratings than him) three kilograms. However, a champion normally finds a way, especially if he jumps well and is able to set his own fractions. Luck in running is always important, especially in Grade 1 contests, and Saturday will be no exception

Oriental Charm runs a brilliant second to Dave The King in the WSB Gold Challenge

 

RACE 7 – HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY (Grade 1)

POMODORO’S JET

Age:       6 (at last run)

Sex:       g

M/Rating:             118 (at last run)

Owner: Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd

Breeder:               Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud

Trainer:  J Crawford

Breeding:             Pomodoro – Gorgeous Al by Captain Al

Colours:              Yellow, black stripe, striped sleeves, yellow cap

Pomodoro’s Jet has run 21 times, and has only  run out of the top 5 twice, on debut and then in his second run. He has won eight times, but never further than 1600M. Now, as a 6 year old, he would have matured and strengthened to be competitive in a Grade One contest over the 2200M especially if you take into account that in last years Durban July Consolation he ran fifth over the 2200M beaten only 3 lengths by Cape Eagle.

Pomodoro’s Jet wins his last start in Gauteng

 

Since his relocation to Gauteng, he has runa second, third and then reeled off three wins in succession by a combined winning margin of over ten lengths. However, this is a step up in trip, a step up in class, but he is a horse who always gives his best. On Saturday will be no exception as the six year old son of Pomodoro will be giving his best again for owner Khaya Stables when the gates crash open at 4pm on Saturday afternoon.

 

RACE 3 – MAGICAL ZULU KINGDOM 2200 (Grade 3) ((Handicap))

OTTO LUYKEN

Age:      5 (at last run)

Sex:       g

M/Rating:           114 (at last run)

Owner:               Mr Greg Bortz & Ms Gina Goldsmith

Breeder:             Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

Trainer: J Crawford

Breeding:           Flower Alley (USA) – Laurel Cherry by Ideal World (USA)

Colours:             Aquamarine, dark grey seams, aquamarine sleeves, dark grey armbands, striped cap

Otto Luyken is well travelled. Interestingly though, he has run in blinkers twice before his last two races. The first time was in November 2022 and the second in Decembeer 2023 running below par races on both occasions. However in his last two starts the blinkers and the tongue tie have been refitted, and he has run two brilliant races.

The first was in the Grade 3 Leagal Eagle Stakes where he was short nosed into second by the highly rated Garrix. His second was in his last start, where he reveresed the placings, beating Garrix by a nostril in the listed Politician Stakes.

Otto Luyken noses out Garrix in the Listed Politician Stakes

Otto Luyken – Winning Interviews

On Saturday he once again has the blinkers and tongue tie added to his equipment. He has to carry the pudding (61kg) but that is what you have to do if you are the highest merit rated horse in the field.

Louis Mxothwa takes the ride and if he shows the heart, fight, and ability he has done in the last two starts, then there is no reason he will not be in the firing line when the whips are cracking and the post looming in this Grade 3 contest for owners Mr Greg Bortz & Ms Gina Goldsmith.

 

RACE 3 – MAGICAL ZULU KINGDOM 2200 (Grade 3) ((Handicap))

COUNT HUHTIKUU

Age:       3 (at last run)

Sex:       g

M/Rating: 91 (at last run)

Owner: Mr P Boonzaaier & Stone Hill Stud (Nom: Mr H C W Rix)

Breeder: Stone Hill Stud (Nom: Mr H C W Rix)

Trainer:  J Crawford

Breeding: Royal Mo (USA) – Banking April by Bankable (IRE)

Colours: Green and bright yellow checks, white sleeves and cap

Whereas Otto Luyken is the seasoned verteran in Race 3, the son of Royal Mo, is the up and coming youngster taking his place in the Grade 3 event on Saturday. Count Huhtikuu beat subsequent winner Hawkbill at Turffontein Racecourse in it’s last run in facile fashion.  On Saturday an up and coming jockey in the form of  Athandiwe Mgudlwa throws a leg over him. 

The powerful kick he gave at the 400M as the field started closing in on him in his last win was impressive, and although there are questions that will need to be answered with regard to his wide draw and the rise in class, his low galloping weight wil be a big advantage. In his last win he continued to gallop strongly all the way to the line for owners Mr P Boonzaaier & Stone Hill Stud (Nom: Mr H C W Rix) and he could be an unknown factor who could surprise. All the questions will be answered on Saturday and at 25/1 with sponsors Hollywoodbets he could be worth a tickle.

Count Huhtikuu wins very impressively from subsequent winner Hawkbill at Turffontein

RACE 8 – RIDGEMONT GARDEN PROVINCE STAKES (Grade 1)

MON PETIT CHERIE

Age:      3 (at last run)

Sex:       f

M/Rating:           113 (at last run)

Owner:               Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter) & Mr Devin Heffer

Breeder:             Ridgemont Highlands

Trainer: J Crawford

Breeding:           Rafeef (AUS) – Exotic (IRE) by Galileo (IRE)

Colours:             Dark green, blue sleeves, white cap

Mon Petit Cherie has won only three races in her eight-race career, but two of those races were two Grade Two contests, one at Kenilworth and the other at Greyville. The first was the Western Cape Fillies Championship and the second the WSB Fillies Guineas. In both starts she showed tremendous courage and acceleration under the expert guidance of Richard Fourie, and on Saturday has his special type of assistance once again from the saddle.

She is drawn seven but has the advantage of having won already around the tight Greyville track. She has not run since her win in the Fillies Guineas, but all James horse will be fit and well, and ready to give their best for owners Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter) & Mr Devin Heffer. She races under sufferance (merit rating vs weight) but is a very progressive filly who could run better than her rating. The bookmakers seem to agree as she has been priced up as the third favourite at 6.25/1.

Mon Petit Cherie & Richard on the mark in the G2 WSB Fillies Guineas at Greyville

Mon Petit Cherie wins her second Graded Race – Interviews

RACE 8 – RIDGEMONT GARDEN PROVINCE STAKES (Grade 1)

FATAL FLAW

Age:      3 (at last run)

Sex:       f

M/Rating:           120 (at last run)

Owner:               ASSM Racing Syndicate (Nom: Mr A Chadha)

Breeder:             Mr L M F Wernars

Trainer: J Crawford

Breeding:           New Predator (AUS) – Alinga (AUS) by Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE)

Colours:             Grey, dark blue epaulettes and sleeves, dark blue cap, grey stars

Fatal Flaw is a well-travelled filly and has contested Graded races all across the country. She ran second to Quid Pro Quo in the G2 Golden Slipper and G1 Thekwini Stakes at Greyville. She then won the Grade 3 Princess Charlene Stakes at Turffontein, the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth and finally the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes at Turffontein

Fatal Flaw wins the G1 Empress Club Stakes

 

On Saturday thirteen high quality fillies will face the starter in the G1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes. She has drawn a challenging gate of ten, and she has not raced since the 29^th March 2025. However, her natural gate speed and high cruising speed should be able to negate the wide gate and she will be fit and ready.

Her second places to the brilliant winner of the Betway Dingaans on Summer Cup Day, Quid Pro Quo and beating ruling second favourite for the Garden Province Stakes Spumante Dolce in her last start, should bring her into the race as a huge runner. Couple that to her natural gate and cruising speeds and she could be a huge contender for top spot for one of the top Fillies races on the horse racing calendar.

The top five horses on the bookmakers boards as as per above.