With Barber set down to contest next week's Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, Godolphin unearthed another top-class son of Exceed And Excel with Cylinder opening his winning account in Saturday's Group II Fujitsu General Silver Slipper (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Ridden by Brenton Avdulla for James Cummings, Cylinder sat just off the speed set by Platinum Jubilee before gradually wearing down the top-class daughter of Zoustar to win by a half-length.
The one-time Golden Slipper favourite King's Gambit (I Am Invincible) was a further neck back in third after firing up in the early stages.
Runner-up in the Max Lees Classic at Newcastle and Listed Merson Cooper Stakes at Caulfield, Cylinder was seen for the first time in twelve weeks.
James Cummings couldn't disguise his enthusiasm for the handsome son of Exceed And Excel.
"We're cooking with gas with this one. He is just loaded with ability," Cummings enthused.
"First-up at his second preparation, that's a damn good sign from this colt. They kept him in the barriers long enough in that small field just to test him out, but he got back on all fours and was quickly away."
"I will be interested in how the time stacks up. There were some big names in there."
"He has improved a stack. He's been galvanised with a couple of very solid runs pre-Christmas, a trip to Melbourne, and a trip to Newcastle, not in that order.
"Not everything went right for him in Victoria. Thankfully, we got him back to Osborne Park on a pretty quick turnaround, and nature took its course.
"He has developed, grown a bit, and is more mature this time. I think he has what it takes to keep improving and get to the level required to be competitive in the Slipper in four weeks."
It's been a good month for Cylinder's dam Circular (Street Cry), with her 3yo Astern filly Parisal breaking her maiden at Kensington-Randwick on February 3, then added a benchmark 78 at Rosehill a fortnight later.
From the family of the great Lonhro, Circular won five and placed in eight of her 20 starts highlighted by her victory in the Group III Matron Stakes at Flemington.
After foaling a Bivouac filly last spring, Circular was covered by Brazen Beau.
Cylinder is the 209th black-type winner for Darley Stud's Exceed And Excel, who is having another exceptional season with his two-year-olds. Cylinder and Barber join the NZ stakes-winner Sky On Fire and the Group III MRC Chairman's Stakes and Listed VRC Maribyrnong Trial Stakes winner Zulfiqar.
