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An ideal ground-saving run on the rails paved the way to a resounding win from Black Jade in the $85,000 War Affair 2014 Stakes, a Class 2 race over 1600m on Sunday.

Settled cosily into the box-seat by Alysha Collett, aided greatly by the plum draw in barrier No 1, the Irish-bred five-year-old by Dragon Pulse was always travelling well within himself, putting in the big bounds once he was peeled out into clear galloping room.

After dictating terms, a fast-compounding Nepean (Matthew Kellady) was gobbled up in the blink of an eye at the top of the straight with Loyalty Man (Vlad Duric), who had been serving it to him from the back, the first to race past.

But Loyalty Man's early exertions (Duric had already pulled the stick at the 500m, not usually a good omen) soon took its toll on him.

That was when it became increasingly evident the thicker end of the prizemoney would be heading towards Black Jade  ($28) instead.

Turned out loose by Collett, the James Peters-trained miler skipped clear and was home and hosed from a long way, even if he had to contend with a stinging assault from Real Success (Shafrizal Saleh), but the winning post arrived half-a-length early.

Yabadabadoo (Amirul Ismail) also stormed home late but could only settle for third place another 1 ¼ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 34.21secs for the 1600m on the Short Course.

"I wasn't overly confident as there was some work to be done fitness-wise," said Peters.

"I was also concerned about the firm track as he's had niggling issues, but he had a soft run throughout and it's worked out well.

"I'm pleasantly surprised."

Collett, who begins a three-day ban from next Saturday, was ringing up her fifth winner for the season.

"He travelled nicely and gave a nice kick in the straight," said the Kiwi jockey.

Black Jade has now taken his record to two wins, two seconds and two thirds from 14 starts for prizemoney around the $140,000 mark for the T & T Stable.