Trainer Robert Hickmott gave punters a good lead before Aloft won Saturday's The Nursery Handicap (2000m) at Flemington.
Hickmott advised Stewards on Friday both his runners in Aloft and Bondi Beach would be ridden forward and Ben Melham parked Aloft in clear second place as the $101 outsider First Course set the pace.
Melham asked Aloft to quicken into the home straight where he was pressed by Magic Consol on his outside and Galaxy Raider on his inside before drawing clear.
At the finish Aloft ($4.20 - $4.60) had three-quarters of a length to spare over Second Bullet ($5.50) with Galaxy Raider ($8) a head away third.
Killarney Kid started the easing $3.30 favourite but could finishing only seventh while Bondi Beach, which firmed from $11 to start $7.50, weakened in the home straight under 61kg to finish ninth of 10.
Aloft was racing for the first time since finishing runner-up to Big Duke in the Group III Chairman's Stakes over 2600m at Randwick in April.
Melham said the six-year-old son of Galileo had improved physically.
"He's furnished more as a horse - he did a few things wrong the last time I rode him but he was very professional today," Melham said.
"I was able to cover up behind the leader and we weren't going that hard so I knew he was always going to finish off.
"He's a good horse and the race worked out well for us, he's got a bit of class about him."
Part-owner Nick Williams said Aloft would race again this preparation.
"He's got a long way to go but we are very happy with the way he's returned," Williams said.
"He loves these firm tracks and we'll look for another race for him in three or four weeks. We like to get our horses fit and then poke along into the spring.
"Dad (Lloyd) and Malcolm (McLaren, racing manager) have picked out some races for him and then we'll aim to get serious in October and November."
