Wearing special shoes designed to protect the heel, the five-year-old Carnegie gelding dashed clear, scoring his first group win in an injury-plagued career in 2:15.04 for the 2,200 meters (10.93 furlongs) on a good course.

His career record is now seven wins from eleven career starts.

Platinum Scissors came in trailing the victor by a length-and-a-quarter, and a head in front of third place finisher Natural Blitz.

Perlin, who is out of My Midnight Madam by Kaapstad, and trained by Graeme Rogerson in Melbourne for Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Williams, wore blinkers for the event. Jockey Danny Nikolic said post-race that he was relaxed, and gave him a nice ride.

Perlin has previously spent a year side-lined for a leg injury. Williams now plans to spell his comeback gelding after four wins from five starts in preparation for the his next aim – the Caulfield Cup in the southern spring.