A determined win from Le Remas in Listed grade on Saturday has trainer Brian McKnight dreaming of an even bigger prize at Caulfield in a fortnight.

Le Remas had to call on his fighting qualities to hold off Under The Eiffel in the John Dillon Stakes, prevailing by a short half-head.

"I think we'll go and have a look at the C F Orr Stakes after that," McKnight said.

"I know it's a step up again but he did it today so we'll roll the dice and have a crack. You only get one chance."

The Group One C F Orr Stakes on February 9 is over the same 1400m course as the John Dillon Stakes and will be run under weight-for-age conditions.

Le Remas ($5.50), who led from the outset, and Under The Eiffel ($5.50) put a gap on their rivals in the straight with Future Solution ($15) leading in the chasing pack in third.

Favourite British General ($3.30) had won his past three starts at Flemington but didn't fire for the third time in as many attempts at Caulfield, finishing fifth after sitting behind the leaders.

McKnight, 65, has a family property at Maldon with around 100 horses on the property from broodmares to yearlings, with 18 in work.

He labelled Le Remas' victory at Caulfield, his first stakes win, as a tremendous thrill and up there with running second in the Adelaide Cup in 1976.

"Many years ago when I first started I had a mare, Storm Song, that ran second in the Adelaide Cup. That was a huge thrill at the time," he said.