Assistant trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe, who looks after Bass’s new satellite yard at Turffontein, said the horse had travelled well and that he had been taken for a walk to see the course.

Asked whether he gave the horse a chance, he said, “Absolutely. He is quite a light horse, so will improve all the time as he fills out. He is a big runner as long as the altitude doesn’t affect him.”

Usually altitude only really comes into the equation for races beyond a mile, so he should be fine over this trip.

He is certainly progressive and in his third career start in November, his first after gelding, he finished just 1,35 lengths behind his stable mate Equity Kicker over a too sharp 1000m and the latter has gone on to win two more races, including beating tough older horses like Castlethorpe and Happy Forever in a Pinnacle event over 1000m.

Spirit Of Hamilton was then stepped up to a more suitable 1400m two runs later and waltzed in by 6,75 lengths.

First time out the maidens off a merit rating of 80 in a MR72 Handicap over 1600m, he showed good gate speed and settled well enough on the flank of the leader, who dictated a “Cape Crawl”.  He showed a good turn of foot before staying on resolutely and was still full of running at the line. He certainly struck as one with plenty of scope and one that would prefer a quicker pace which he is likely to get tonight.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe (pictured) is on a high after his superb  J&B Met ride on the brilliant Futura so will be a bonus in the saddle. Furthermore, Spirit Of Hamilton jumps from a plum draw of two.