The high-riding Winning Form sponsored Richard Fourie and Hollywoodbets trainer Stuart Pettigrew got the Turffontein feature action off to a flying start when the 3yo Varsfontein-bred Mercantour finished powerfully to win the R175 000 Gold Rush Sprint.
![](https://www.sportingpost.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mercantour-945x630.jpg)
Mercantour comes home powerfully under Richard Fourie (Pic – JC Photos)
Only seven runners lined up for the R175 000 non black-type 1100m feature, which opened the Place Accumulator on the afternoon.
Given a chance by Fourie, Mercantour (5-1) burst clear to beat the favourite Wind Water (33-10) by 3 lengths in a time of 62,93 secs.
Former Cape resident Trompie (5-1) showed plenty of pace but faded late and was beaten a further
A son of the deceased speed champion VAR (Forest Wildat), the Varsfontein-bred winner is out of the Western Winter mare, Winter Wood.
A R200 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Mercantour is a winner of 4 races with 5 places from 13 starts, and has earned R354 250.
Watch the replay: