Gold Coast galloper Aqua Vite has defied death to win his first metropolitan race on Saturday.

Given the run of the race by visiting Adelaide jockey Jamie Kah, Aqua Vite ($4.60) beat Slydini ($7.50) by a nose in the Canadian Club Handicap (1615m) at Doomben.

Trainer Scott Morrisey took pleasure from the win because he was sure he would lose Aqua Vite last year.

"He got colitis 14 months ago and the vets didn't think he would live. He beat that and then he nearly starved to death, as we couldn't get him to eat" Morrisey said.

"Eventually we got him back to the track and he has been so consistent since. He really deserved a city win today."

Kah picked up the ride when Tegan Harrison missed the meeting because of a broken collarbone sustained at Ballina on Thursday.