A surprise appearance from Hucklebuck's owner made the gelding's breakthrough Group One win in the Emirates Stakes even sweeter for trainer Phillip Stokes.

Stokes celebrated his biggest win as a trainer when talented four-year-old Hucklebuck answered any doubts about him at 1600m with his victory by a head over Lucky Hussler in Saturday's $1 million Emirates Stakes at Flemington.

As Adelaide-based Stokes was soaking in the excitement of training his first Melbourne Group One win, he was embraced by Thomas Li, the CEO of the Macau Jockey Club, who owns Hucklebuck.

"This means so much," Stokes said, adding he didn't know the owner was at Flemington.

"It's fantastic to have Thomas here and to get a Group One in Melbourne is a big thrill."

Hucklebuck's win was the middle leg of a Stakes Day treble for Stokes, with Held Hostage and Eclair Big Bang also winning.

Li said Hucklebuck's victory was a big thrill.

"I thought the last 200 metres was very exciting," Li said.

Hucklebuck made it two Flemington wins in the space of a week after claiming a Group Three race over 1400m last Saturday.

Jockey Dom Tourneur, who also celebrated his first Melbourne Group One success, felt being on the back up helped Hucklebuck settle in the run, and he produced the gelding early in the straight before holding off Lucky Hussler ($7) in the last 200m.

Brave Tasmanian frontrunner The Cleaner ($16) held on for third, 1-1/4 lengths away.

Stokes, who has won two Australasian Oaks in Adelaide during his career, was full of praise for Hucklebuck, who settled fifth with cover before making his charge in the straight.

"Dom gave him a good ride. He got there a bit early but he dug deep. What a thrill," Stokes said.

Tourneur said Hucklebuck had always given him the feel of a miler and was thrilled the horse got his chance to show it on Saturday.

Hucklebuck opened at $12 on Saturday before starting $10, but he opened as short as $4 early in the week.

"That was terrific. There was a lot of doubters at the trip but he came out and showed them what he's made of," Tourneur said.

"Today the real Hucklebuck shone through."

Glen Boss said Lucky Hussler tried his heart out but the winner was too good.

Burles said The Cleaner would not head to Perth for the Railway Stakes and would be spelled.