Chris Waller has handed out a long-range tip for Cellarman after the colt survived a protest to win Listed Wintergarden Stakes at Eagle Farm.

Ridden by Hugh Bowman, Cellarman ($8.50) broke his Maiden status in beating Brulee ($7) by a half neck.

Waller rates Cellarman in a similar mould to Shellscrape who won the Wintergarden in 2009 before going on to Group One success.

"He'll be a nice horse to follow in the spring and he reminds me a lot of Shellscrape," Waller said.

"That horse went on to bigger and better things and, who knows, this bloke might be the same."

There was drama post-race when Brulee's jockey Jim Byrne lodged a protest against Cellarman for interference near the 300m.

Byrne said Brulee lost momentum when she was bumped heavily by Cellarman.

"I had established a run when Hugh Bowman has directed his mount inwards and I've received heavy contact losing my momentum completely," Byrne said.

"It was quite detrimental to my chances because I had to alter course and stop riding. I was entitled to clear running right to the line and didn't receive it."

Bowman said Brulee had ample opportunity to pass Cellarman in the final stages.

"I was just as entitled to the run as much as he (Byrne) was," Bowman said.

"At the 50 metres he was head and head with me but wasn't able to get past me."