Chris Waller has boosted his Caulfield Guineas prospects after his promising colts, Diameter and Somethings Burnin’, finished first and second respectively in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at Caulfield on Sunday.
Champion jockey James McDonald guided Diameter through a tight opening late in the race to secure a narrow victory over his stablemate.
The Brazen Beau colt narrowly defeated Somethings Burnin’, a son of Too Darn Hot, in a thrilling three-way finish.
The Stutt Stakes served as a vital Caulfield Guineas trial for both colts, and Waller was pleased with how they presented themselves for more significant races.
“They’re two nice horses,” Waller remarked.
“He (Diameter) showed us in the autumn that he’s up to the better horses.
“He means a bit to us being a son of Brazen Beau, so it is good to have him for Godolphin.
“He (Somethings Burnin’) is a work-in-progress and he still gets a bit keen.
“We wanted to try him over a mile to see where he’s at but he’s likely a prep away so there’s a lot to look forward to.”
Diameter, who started as the $3.20 second favourite, won by a short-head from Somethings Burnin’ ($8), with Scarole ($10), trained by Ciaron Maher, a head behind in third.
This was Diameter’s second Stakes win, following his triumph in the Listed Fernhill Stakes (1600m) in the autumn, and his previous Group 1 placings in the Champagne Stakes behind Fireball and Campione D’Italia.
McDonald was impressed with Diameter’s tenacity when the pressure was on.
“It looked a bit dicey at the top of the straight, to be fair, but I had a willing partner to get us through that,” McDonald said.
“He was superior and he did a really good job.
“There’s a good race in a couple of weeks here for him and it has Group 1 next to its name, so I could definitely see him figuring in that.
“He’s on the way up.”
Diameter’s odds for the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10 at Caulfield were tightened to $11, and he is the same price for the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick two weeks later. Find the best racing odds for these upcoming Group 1 events.
