Horizon, the R5.2 million colt who smashed the South Africa auction record as a yearling, came good at the second time of asking in the mile maiden at Kenilworth yesterday.

This was a very different performance from his disappointing debut nine weeks ago and, backed from 15-2 to 4-1, he made smooth progress to lead 200m out before drawing away under hands and heels to beat odds-on favourite Crompton Court by a comfortable two and a half lengths.

Grant van Niekerk said: “We got a lot of negative comments after his first run but I know exactly how good this horse is and it will pay to follow him. He is going to go places.”

Candice Bass-Robinson added: “There was a lot of pressure when he ran first time but he is a Dynasty out of a full sister to Silvano so he was never going to be an early horse.

“He has got his own mind and is not all that keen on doing his work at home but over the last month or so he has put things together and I think he is going to be a really decent horse.”

Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion winner Always In Charge made a most satisfactory return in the Racing Association Graduation Plate. Vaughan Marshall had warned that the colt was only 80% and the 11-10 favourite looked beaten a furlong out when Attenborough seemed to be travelling by far the better.

But he found another gear when Anton Marcus gave him a couple of taps and surged clear 20m out to get the better of Orion Quest by three-quarters of a length with a weakening Attenborough a neck away third.

Michael Clower