Diameter earns Caulfield Guineas chance with Stutt Stakes win

Diameter will progress to the G1 Caulfield Guineas after producing a determined finish to win the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1,600m) at Caulfield on Sunday.

Having his third start of the preparation, the Godolphin homebred was held up behind the leaders before James McDonald found a narrow opening late in the straight.

Diameter drove through the gap to defeat Chris Waller-trained stablemate Somethings Burnin’ by 0.15 lengths, with early leader Scarole a further 0.2 lengths away in third.

“It looked a bit dicey at the top of the straight, but I had a willing partner to get us through that,” McDonald said.

“He’s an absolute gentleman. He bounced well and travelled comfortably. He was there for me when I needed him.”

The victory came at Diameter’s first start over 1,600m since finishing third in the G1 Champagne Stakes as a two-year-old. He will return to the same course and distance for the G1 Caulfield Guineas in two weeks.

“He’s shown in the autumn that he’s up with the better horses with Group One placings,” Waller said.

“He means a bit to us being a son of Brazen Beau, so it’s good to have him for Godolphin.”

Diameter has now won two of his nine starts, including the Listed Fernhill Stakes at Randwick.

By Brazen Beau, he is out of the Group-winning Street Cry mare Circular, making him a half-brother to G1 Newmarket Handicap winner Cylinder and multiple Group winner Parisal. Circular has produced five winners from five runners, including three Stakes winners.

The result was an eighth Stakes victory for the Waller and Godolphin partnership.

Godolphin completed a double at the Caulfield meeting when the Ciaron Maher-trained Threads won the Brian Kruger Handicap (1,100m).