Ashley and Andrew Fortune have four Gr1 runners at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday, including the much talked about favourite in the Allan Robertson, Winter Smoke.
Ashley told David Thiselton that they hoped Winter Smoke proved to be as good as her debut win combined with the favourite tag suggested she was.
She added that a number of jockeys who had ridden her had said she had given them the feeling of being “special.”
Afternoon Tea also runs in the Allan Robertson as the Fortunes are mindful that there are only so many chances a horse has of running in a Grade 1 race. Ashley described her as consistent and expected “a nice run”.
The yard run Invidia in the Golden Horse Sprint.
Invidia – ran a smart race in the Post Merchants (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
He is officially 2,5kg under sufferance but this was only because they decided not to take the six points penalty for running second in the Post Merchants, run recently over this same course and distance.
He would otherwise be carrying 52,5kg instead of 52kg. He is thus 1kg better off with Post Merchant’s winner Eden Roc for a 0,5 length beating.
Ashley said Invidia had come on from the Post Merchants, was in a good space and she expected a nice run.
The first-timer Validus runs in the Golden Horse Medallion and throwing him into the deep end here was forced upon the connections by the interruption to horses’ programmes lockdown had brought. However, Ashley said this Dynasty colt was definitely of “the quality” to take a chance with in this field.
All of these horses have been staying at Summerveld for varying lengths of time and have all been enjoying themselves there.
- Gold Circle
