The Moloney team will get a clearer picture of Express Class’s standing when the promising colt tackles the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Trained by Gerard Moloney and ridden by son Patrick, Express Class impressed with a debut win in a Sandown two-year-old handicap last month, storming home at \$31 odds.

“We always knew we had a nice horse… but with the opposition, and the raps on the opposition, we would have ideally avoided that race,” Patrick Moloney said.

Saturday’s rise from midweek grade to Stakes company will test the recently turned three-year-old, who meets rivals with more racing experience.

“This will enable us to line him up in the pecking order… he’s going to need to raise the bar again on Saturday,” Moloney said.

The colt has been kept ticking over since his debut win and heads to Caulfield fit and ready for the challenge.