'Dave' does it for Mike and Mathew

THE Hollywoodbets Durban July picture becomes a touch clearer after the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and Jubilee Stakes weekend.

- DAVID THISELTON

Dave The King was the hero of Gold Challenge day again, although this time he did it for both Mike and Mathew de Kock, their first Gr 1 together as official partners, while Callan Murray's rejuvenated career gained further momentum with his second Gr 1 in successive weekends. The reigning Hollywoodbets Durban July champion Oriental Charm was inconvenienced in the L'Ormarins King's Plate just before the turn and that had been his only run of three since his July win that was not top class, so owner Greg Bortz had a right to feel mystified by the lack of prominence of his horse in the pre-race debates and his 14/1 price. However, the Vercingetorix colt ended up proving everybody wrong and was a neck away from adding a valuable Gr 1 weight for age mile victory to his CV.

Gladatorian