First Command showed he is far from a spent force when he blew his opposition away in winning the Mal Seccull Handicap.

We all know that Mal had a handy one in Manikato, and while First Command may not be in that class, he is still a pretty handy steed, as shown in winning at Caulfield on Saturday.

First up since October, when finishing last in the Schillaci Stakes, the seven year old gelding has found a new lease of life overcoming quite a few problems, including a throat operation, plus nagging fetlock ailments that have caused worries for the stable.

In the past he has proved a 1000 metres specialist at Caulfield and could follow the pattern again, he will be entered for the Oakleigh Plate, he finished fourth last year.

Go The Knuckle was the preferred favourite on recent form, as many may have thought that First Command was a spent force as he had not greeted the judge in over a year.

It is difficult to comment too much on the beaten brigade, Go The Knuckle was the best run in the race outside of the winner, Rocking Force ran a nice race but nine year old horses rarely win in the city.

First Command - out on his own with Glen Boss