Gun Pit has figured in this space before and the Caspar Fownes-trained three-year-old now deserves his place as a horse to follow on a longer term basis too after Wednesday night's defeat.
Supporters of the Dubawi gelding looked certain to collect after a dashing Zac Purton ride to take the race by the scruff of the neck early and plant Gun Pit forward, outside regular leader Beauty King.
Coming off a short break between runs, Gun Pit looked a more tractable and versatile version of the raw youth we had previously seen and he spent much of his race doing things right this time.
It seemed a formality turning for home that he would win the race but the run down the stretch wasn't totally straight forward, with the far more experienced Beauty King coming out to brush the younger horse at one stage.
Gun Pit seemed to hover after that happened and lose some focus and, credit where it's due, Beauty King didn't lay down either, fighting on strongly to worry his rival out of the photo in a bob of the heads.
But while he didn't get the result, Gun Pit certainly performed better than he had before, giving five pounds to the five-year-old winner, this pair running right away from their rivals and that margin spread was backed up by solid times.
On this performance, and with normal improvement for more time and experience, Gun Pit might be an animal with more of a future next season than many might be thinking at this stage. This was the effort of a young horse who should be going to Class Two if he stays sound and well, and don't be put off if he reappears in Class Three next time after being lifted to a 61 rating yesterday.
And, although Beauty King has now climbed to a new high in the ratings, beyond where he started so promisingly a couple of years ago before losing his way, don't overlook him. Maturity, a "good luck" style as a frontrunner and the move to Tony Cruz have him racing well enough to make it four for the season yet.
