An impressive first-up win at Caulfield from Stipulate has trainer David Hayes optimistic the import can help fill a spring void.

Stipulate is raced in the same interests as Jet Away, last year’s Caulfield Cup fourth placegetter who suffered a tendon injury during the week.

Hayes has a good opinion of Stipulate and the import showed why as he sprinted from a midfield position in Saturday’s Listed Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Stakes (1700m) to win by 1-3/4 lengths.

“He really put them away and was terrific. He’s in for a very exciting spring,” Hayes said.

Stipulate ($7.50) defeated Brambles ($8) with another length to Marksmanship ($5) third.

Hayes is keen to get six-year-old gelding Stipulate to the $3 million Caulfield Cup and will decide whether he runs in the Naturalism Stakes or the Group One Underwood Stakes at weight-for-age next.

The Group Three Naturalism Stakes carries a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup for the winner.

“If we’re happy enough we’ll go to the Underwood. And if we’re worried (he won’t make the Caulfield Cup field) we’ll go for the Naturalism,” Hayes said.