A late burst from Nadeem Lass saved trainer Robbie Griffiths from the frustration of another city minor placing at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Nadeem Lass, aided by a top ride from Michael Rodd, weaved through the field and surged through a gap to win the Boscastle Handicap (1200m).

Griffiths had all but resigned himself to defeat.

"I was a bit worried at the 300-metre mark when there was a lot of zigging and zagging happening but to his (Rodd's) credit and the horse's determination it was a good result," Griffiths said.

"We've had 51 second placings in the metro area so far this season and I thought that was going to be 52."

Nadeem Lass ($5) arrived just in time to defeat favourite Bloomingdale Miss ($4.40) by a head with a short half-head to Nella Fantasia ($9).

The filly gave Griffiths his 24th city win during a season which has netted the trainer more than 100 winners across Victoria for the first time.

He said Nadeem Lass, who went into the race with just one win from 10 starts, deserved a better record.

"It was nice to see this filly, in particular, win today because for a filly that's only won one of 10 she's been awfully unlucky on number of occasions," he said.