FOYLE, who had shown some latent ability in eight runs as a three-year-old but had been mildly disappointing all the same, put his act together nicely, winning his second start as a four-year-old at the Vaal on Tuesday.

The photo shows S’Manga Khumalo riding low and easing Foyle down at the post, booting home his first winner since returning from his long weekend in the UK.

Foyle, by Tiger Ridge, stormed home four lengths clear of his nearest rival in a MR89 Handicap over 1200m on the turf track at the country course.

Mike de Kock, who is is in Johannesburg for the National 2-y-o Sale, was impressed with Foyle’s improvement and commented: “Two things seem to have done the trick for Foyle. We gelded him a few months ago and gave him a rest, and we put blinkers on him for this sprint.”

While Foyle needs to confirm his promise against stronger, Mike said: “I think he will go on from here and win more, he looks progressive.”

Foyle races for Wilgerbosdfrift Stud in the silks of Mary Slack.