Jockey Jason Taylor made a triumphant return from a career-threatening shoulder injury to win the Group Three George Moore Stakes aboard Lucky Hussler at Doomben on Saturday.

Taylor brought Lucky Hussler ($9) with a well-timed finish to win by a long head from equal favourite Morning Captain ($5.50) with Startsmeup ($17) a long neck away third.

Taylor's career was at the crossroads in April when he dislocated his left shoulder while using the whip in a race at Grafton.

"I had to have major surgery and it was frustrating to be out of action for seven months," Taylor said.

"For a brief time I wondered if I was going to make it back but I've had injuries before and been through long lay-offs so I knew what was in store."

Lucky Hussler, who was backed from $13 into $9, was an emergency for the Moore and only gained a start when the pre-post favourite Cape Kidnappers was scratched on Saturday morning.

Taylor hadn't ridden Lucky Hussler before the Moore but was confident the four-year-old had the talent to win.

"While I was on the sideline I took a lot of interest in his races through the winter carnival against some good quality opposition and he didn't have a lot of luck a few times," he said.

"With only 54kg on his back I thought he would be nice and fresh being first-up and with the speed in the race it looked a nice race for him."

Taylor was confident Lucky Hussler would win when the gelding was racing comfortably just behind the leaders on the home turn.

"It took him 100 metres to travel properly but once he got into a good rhythm it was only a matter of reeling them in," he said.

Lucky Hussler was the first runner trainer Kent Fleming saddled up after returning from a six-month disqualification for giving raceday treatment to one of his team in May.

Fleming said Lucky Hussler will tackle the second leg of the summer triple crown, the Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m), at Doomben on December 21 before the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 11.