Executed came back from a career-threatening injury to land a plunge and give rookie trainer Krystle Johnston her first stakes win in the Lightning Handicap at Doomben.

Backed from $10 to $5.50 Executed was given the run of the race by Anthony Allen before going on to beat Glenbawn Dame ($16) by a neck in the 1050m race on Wednesday.

Former star two-year-old Hardline ($6) showed he was getting back to his best by rattling home for third.

Executed was originally an emergency for the race but got a start when Furnaces was scratched and the race switched to Doomben after Eagle Farm was washed out last Saturday.

Johnston's father Stan Johnston runs Craiglea Stud on the Sunshine Coast and Krystle took over training his team two years ago.

She travels all over the state with their horses and Executed, who won his two previous starts in Mackay and Townsville, is typical of her team.

Executed, who is by Stan Johnston's sire Warhead, scored his 12th win and lifted his prize money to $405,000 in the Lightning.

Krystle Johnston paid tribute to the toughness of Executed who scored his first city win.

"He had some leg problems and we thought he might never race again. But he has come back and given me my greatest thrill in racing," Kyrstle said.

"Dad is on his way to Townsville with a few runners for tomorrow and mum (Marilyn) is at home holding the fort."

She said Executed would probably return to north Queensland for some of the feature sprints.

It was Allen's first stakes win since taking the 2014 Tattersall's Mile on Jetset Lad.

The John and Chris Meagher-trained Harada Bay could have earned himself a trip north for the Rockhampton Cup after winning the Class 6 Plate (1650m).

Tony Gollan moved within 1.5 wins of his Brisbane trainers' premiership record when Plan Red gave him his 77.5th winner of the season.

Plan Red, who is raced by Queensland's biggest owners Graham and Linda Huddy, had run minor placings at his past four starts.

A change of tactics with talented but inconsistent Punta Norte paid off for trainer Rob Heathcote when he won the Benchmark 85 (1200m).