Affirmation was ridden quietly by Mark Zahra and settled in eighth place, one off the rails. He improved nicely, three wide with cover, from the 800m and was giving the leaders about four lengths as he put in a good run on passing the 300m. He raced to the lead at the 100m and then drew away to win impressively by three lengths, running the 1400m out very well. He seems suited to further still and looks to have potential for much better things. Club Star travelled quite keenly in stages, racing in fifth place between runners. He switched wide rounding the home turn, challenged strongly at the 200m and then fought on quite well for second. Our Kaboom was quickly away and went straight to the lead. He steadied the pace mid-race, was tackled on straightening and kept fighting back before tiring from the 200m to finish third. The favourite Berlutti raced outside the leader (Our Kaboom), challenged that runner strongly on turning for home and seemed to be going well but he tired quickly on passing the 200m to finish a disappointing (7.9 lengths) fourth. *ANZ