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A tilt at Group success beckons Affirmation after a convincing win in the opening event at Caulfield on Saturday.

Affirmation appears set to cover three states in as many starts this preparation with the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on August 23 already confirmed as a likely goal.

The Tony McEvoy-trained gelding certainly deserves his chance at stakes success after a dominant win at Caulfield on Saturday in The Grand Hotel Frankston Handicap (1400m).

“He will hop on the float tomorrow and head up to Sydney,” Stable Foreman John Cornell said.

“I think he is looking at the Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) which should be right up his alley.”

Affirmation could not have been more impressive on Saturday, improving noticeably on a first up success at Morphettville.

Jockey Mark Zahra settled worse than midfield on the gelding and covered plenty of ground around the home turn yet Affirmation was full of running in the straight.

The pair strode up to the early leaders 100m from home before dashing away for a 2.5 length win.

Club Star also closed well for second while early pacesetter Our Kaboom held on for third.

Pleasing for winning connections is the fact Affirmation is largely getting by on raw ability.

“He never travelled again today until the pace slackened and then he got into the race which made it harder to win,” Cornell said.

“That was a huge improvement on the other day in Adelaide. He is very progressive.

“He is a lovely horse.”