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Groundswell had to call on his fighting qualities to record a first-up win at Flemington.

Maturity and a gelding operation have been keys to Groundswell finally living up to the promise he showed as a spring three-year-old. 

Gelded after his three-year-old season, Groundswell has won five of his subsequent 10 starts, adding Saturday's VRC Season Premiere Stakes (1410m) to his record. 

Setting a fast tempo under Damian Lane, Groundswell ($4.40) held-off the late charge of the $2.80 favourite King Magnus to score by a long-neck with Red Can Man ($4.40) a half-head away third. 

Prepared by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Groundswell finished third to then stable Super Seth in the Caulfield Guineas and big things were expected in the feature autumn three-year-old races. 

But Groundswell failed to return to those lofty heights and was eventually gelded. 

"He's two stone lighter than he was earlier in his career," Sam Freedman said. 

"He was a very good three-year-old, he ran third in a Caulfield Guineas and then his form tapered off a little bit. 

"But he's become a very genuine horse. 

"The jury was probably out on how genuine he was, but credit to him, he's really digging in and the team at Flemington do a really good job with him. 

"We've found the key to him, rolling along out in front, he really enjoys that and Damian Lane has won on him five times now as well so they're building a really good association." 

Freedman said there was a 1500m race at The Valley coming up that looked suitable while the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 18 was in the back of the stable's mind. 

"There is a race at The Valley over 1500 metres that could possibly suit, but it's probably right on the outer limits of his distance range," Freedman said. 

"The 1400 is probably perfect for him, so we'll work that out and try to get him to the Rupert Clarke in perfect shape."