A set of blinkers and a weight advantage have helped three-year-old Holler hustle his way to a Group One win in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick.

Popular mare First Seal assumed $2.70 favouritism on Saturday from Our Boy Malachi ($4.20) with Holler sent out at $7.50.

After a sharp getaway, Holler had the 1300m race in control with Our Boy Malachi trying to catch up after a slow start.

Holler had a winning break as he powered down the straight with First Seal struggling to pick up on the fence where the ground was considered inferior.

Blake Shinn steered her off the rail but she made little headway on the colt who won by 1-1/4 lengths.

Last year's Doncaster winner Kermadec ($5) was another neck away third with Happy Clapper fourth and Our Boy Malachi fifth.

Ecuador and Criterion were the last two home in the seven-horse field.

"Damien Oliver recommended we put blinkers on after he rode him at Caulfield," trainer John O'Shea said.

"Damien is a pretty experienced guy and I thought it was a really good recommendation so we just ran with that.

"We will probably take him back to Melbourne and give him a go at the William Reid Stakes."

First Seal's trainer John Thompson said his fears the mare might be a little flat for her second start in almost a year was founded.

"That was what I was wary of today," he said.

"Second-up after so long, I thought she might be a bit flat."

Holler was an early two-year-old winner for Godolphin and was touted as a Golden Slipper horse.

He never made it to that race and as an early three-year-old was overshadowed by his stablemate Exosphere in the Golden Rose.

Of the beaten brigade, Tommy Berry said Our Boy Malachi's slow start cost him his chance while First Seal's jockey Blake Shinn was pleased with her performance.

"The winner just had all the favours up front but she hit the line strongly," he said.

Kerrin McEvoy who rode Criterion said he expected the horse to improve for his next start in the George Ryder Stakes.

"Fitness-wise he's going to sharpen up with that run and the extra furlong (200m) suits next start," McEvoy said.