The Brent Stanley-trained Violate has made a successful return to claim a break through stakes win in his first start since being gelded.

Violate had been placed five times at stakes level during his career and resumed from a spell in Saturday's Listed The Sofitel (1400m) with Stanley confident of a good showing.

With Noel Callow aboard, Violate ($10) covered ground to work into the race approaching the home turn before chiming in on the outside at the 300m.

The five-year-old drew away to beat Dollar For Dollar by two lengths with another half-length to Eclair Calling third.

Stanley is hoping Violate will keep stepping up this spring.

"Now he's a gelding he's more of a racehorse. His mind is on the job as a racehorse," Stanley said.

"I've always kept him racing in those good races because he's always had the ability.

"Fingers crossed, all going well he keeps aiming up.

"It's a stakes race today and knowing what improvement he's got in him through the preparation he should be able to win another one too."