Affirmation, having just his third start in three different states, put payed to his opposition with an impressive win in The Grand Hotel Handicap at Caulfield.

It didn’t take him long to put the field away once his rider, Mark Zahra, made the move, he soon had the leaders covered halfway up the straight.

His immediate future is the Up and Coming Stakes at Randwick, and the Golden Rose, would then look a pretty attractive option.

It is winter form and he still has to take the next step, there is little doubt he is well above those he met at Caulfield yesterday.

John Cornel, who was standing in for trainer Tony McEvoy, said “the gelding will return to Sydney and continue his campaign towards the Up And Coming Stakes, much will depend on that run as to where his future is, “he added.

Affirmation has been sparingly raced, he has had just three starts, he was gelded after finishing fifth in the Inglis Classic at Randwick in January, and returned to racing at Morphettville three weeks ago to record an easy win in Maiden company.

That was obviously not sufficient to enthuse on course punters as he was a pronounced drifter in the market.

Club Star, out of the Moody camp, could pick up a city race before being turned out; he finished his race off nicely.

Affirmation winning well