Trainer Tony McEvoy's determination to secure Stoker at last year's yearling sales paid dividends when the gelding scored at Sandown and earned a start in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

Ridden by Damien Oliver, Stoker, wearing blinkers for the first time, was backed from $7 into $4.60 before scoring a 1-1/4 length victory over stablemate Manhattan Blues in the $250,000 Inglis Premier (1000m).

Stoker firmed from $201 to $13 for the Blue Diamond but McEvoy is concerned with the gelding's pre-race behaviour which earned Stoker a verbal warning for his barrier manners.

"Just watching his mannerisms today he acted up a bit in the paddock and he acted up a bit behind the gates," McEvoy said.

"I hope he's not getting too sick of it and I'll have to watch that.

"He's a kind, nice horse but he was difficult today."

McEvoy went $125,000 to secure the gelding he described as "backward" after waiting four hours and outbidding John Hawkes.

Stoker chased home the highly regarded Headwater on debut at Moonee Valley before being beaten over 1000m in Adelaide late last month.

"This was a pretty important race today so I thought the blinkers would bring him on," McEvoy said.

"I don't think he'll need blinkers once he works it out but I won't take them off just yet."

Oliver said Stoker would be a chance in the Blue Diamond but will choose his ride after the Blue Diamond Preludes at Caulfield next Saturday.

"I think he will finish closer to the front than he will the back," Oliver said.