Autumn Assault earned his ticket to the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m) with a convincing win at only his second start on Sunday.

An unlucky second to top juvenile Pennywise on debut in the second Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series, the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale Stakes (1100m) three weeks ago, the Rock ‘N’ Pop two-year-old was lining up in the $85,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1200m to get some turf experience before the Grand Final on June 13.

The even-money favourite was actually hailed the winner in that second Leg, having already raced past Pennywise as he charged to the lead at the 300m, but unfortunately, he could not finish it off when Pennywise came back with a second wind.

Autumn Assault (Benny Woodworth) holds Fame Star (Olivier Placais) at bay to claim his first win on Sunday, picture Singapore Turf Club

The SIN-HK Friendship 2 Stable-owned galloper replicated the same tactics on Sunday, but trainer David Kok must have been indeed very pleased when he kept going this time, though he had to keep the champagne on ice when runner-up Fame Star’s jockey Olivier Placais lodged an objection upon dismounting.

The protest was, however, dismissed, and Kok could plan the next “Assault” towards the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe.

“He’s still a bit green as you could see. He was laying in, but he sure has good potential,” said Kok.

“Benny rode him well. He waited a little longer to launch him and even though he was stopping and waiting for another horse to come back, he did enough to get home.

“He joined our stable in mid-March and to have already won one race and finished second in two starts is quite remarkable.

“He will go straight to the Group 2 race now.”

Woodworth said he had no idea where the alleged interference occurred. He conceded the horse was laying in under pressure, being a young inexperienced horse, but he never impeded Fame Star who was beaten by half-a-length.

“He did lay in but at no time did he take the running of the other horse,” said the Malaysian jockey.

Longshot Nadeem Sapphire (Koh Teck Huat) put in a cheeky run at his maiden race by trying to make all, but had to bow to the superior finishes of Autumn Assault and Fame Star, but did well to run third 1 ½ lengths off the winner.

The winning time was 1min 11.05secs for the 1200m on the Long Course.