Young Warrnambool trainer Mitchell Freedman has landed his first Saturday city win in Melbourne with Shenzhou Steeds racing to victory for the first time since 2012.

Freedman, 26, has had Shenzhou Steeds since last spring and was thrilled to see the eight-year-old gelding finish with his nose in front in the Richard Beckmann & Mark Young Handicap (2000m) at Flemington.

Shenzhou Steeds ($10), having his second start of the campaign since surgery to remove a bone chip in a fetlock, worked home along the inside from a midfield position to win by a head over By The Grace.

It was Shenzhou Steeds' first win since claiming the Ipswich and Caloundra Cup double in June 2012.

"I had him for three runs in the spring and he come with an issue and we just managed that and got him through," Freedman said.

"This time he's sound.

"I said to the owners, you either retire him or you do the operation.

"He owed them nothing and he's come through that really well.

"We've taken our time with him and he's got a really good fitness base."

Freedman, a former Warrnambool stable foreman for Darren Weir before starting training two years ago, has 22 horses in work.

Abbasso, the $3 favourite, was overhauled in the final 200m and finished seventh after ending up going to the front from his outside barrier.