Ashley and Andrew Fortune’s Listed Gatecrasher Stakes winner Gold Season is now being targeted at either the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m on VDJ day or the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Stake over 1600m on Gold Cup day. 

“He’s a very laid back horse and had always shown us that he was capable of going places,” said Andrew.

Ashley added, “You can only be so confident as he was a Maiden taking on winners. We were hoping for a place as his work showed he could run a place, but his win confirms what we think of him.”

The Gimmethegreenlight colt had only run in one previous race, finishing a 3,50 length fourth over 1200m, and that form was franked on Saturday when the fifth-placed horse, Nourbese, finished third in the Grade 2 SA Nursery. 

On Sunday Craig Zackey found the rail in midfield and Gold Season ran on steadily in the straight to beat the well regarded Paul Peter-trained Master Of Disguise by 1,70 lengths. He was receiving 4kg from Master Of Disguise. The latter cost himself by taking a strong hold in the running and should be watched as he oozes class. 

Gold Season arrived at Summerveld two days before Sunday’s race and will continue staying there until his next race, which will be his last outing of the season.

The Fortunes found this colt at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale together with owner Preggie Somasundrum and they clinched him for R375,000. 

Andrew said, “Preggie wanted to stop at R150,000 and I kept kicking him!” 

Andrew, Ashley and Preggie had all liked him in all respects, including his pedigree. Andrew recalled, “He had this thing about him that spoke to you.” 

Andrew won twice on his mother, the Joey Ramsden-trained sprinter Miss Gold Digger, who is by Rich Man’s Gold. 

Gold Season is a half-brother to Easy Lover (Right Approach), who won two Listed races over 1600m and finished second in the Grade 2 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m, so he should stay further than 1400m.

Also in the Gatecrasher Stakes, Royal Exhibit caught the eye staying on strongly from way back for third. This Mike Miller-trained Oratorio colt has plenty of substance and looks to be one to follow.

The fancied Glen Kotzen-trained Fast Love is a nice looking type too and should be given another chance after his disappointing fourth. He had to overcome a tough draw so had an excuse for not building on his impressive debut win.

By David Thiselton