The setbacks Tunahog has overcome to make it back to the racetrack would have ended the careers of most horses.

The seven-year-old was back in the winners' circle for the first time in nearly four years when he won the Kirks Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on Wednesday.

No one was more satisfied than trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith who has persevered with Tunahog against monumental odds.

"He's bled, he's shattered a sesamoid, did a suspensory, had pedalostitis and the vet told me to put him in a paddock because he'd never race again," Mayfield-Smith said.

"But I've always been a great believer in the water walker and he spent a lot of time in one which did him the world of good.

"I thought I'd put him back in work and see how he'd go."

Mayfield-Smith has trained horses who have developed sesamoid problems but none were as badly affected as Tunahog.

"I've had horses that had a clear crack and never raced again like Post Elect and Sandan Court and this bloke is the worst of the lot of them," he said.

Tunahog was in a lively mood before the start of the race which Mayfield-Smith viewed as a positive sign.

"When he's in an aggressive mood it normally means he's going to race well so hopefully he can put a few more wins together because he's got the ability," he said.

"Even though he's a seven-year-old he's only had 21 starts."

Meanwhile trainer Desleigh Forster is keen to change the racing pattern of Reframe after the gelding scored an all-the-way win in the Yellowglen Maiden Plate (1030m).

Forster believes Reframe can measure up to better company after the three-year-old scored by 2-3/4 lengths as a $2 favourite with Michael Cahill aboard.

"He drew an awkward barrier today and we had to go forward but when he draws a decent alley I'd love to have ridden nice and quiet," Forster said.

"When he can get into a race and sit off them you'll see an even better horse."