Trainer Peter Moody admitted he was surprised by the Australian debut win of former French galloper Zimbali who had given little inkling of his talent at trackwork.

Moody had modest plans for the five-year-old who had not shown him much on the training track in preparation for the Grand Hotel Frankston Handicap (1600m) at Sandown on Wednesday.

But in a slowly run race, Zimbali ($10) finished powerfully under Luke Nolen to score a half-length win over $1.70 favourite Northern Lyric with Providential ($10) another 1-3/4 lengths away third.

"I was thinking hurdles before today but I might have to put that career on hold for a bit longer," Moody said.

Moody said Zimbali had been purchased on spec by Queenslander Darren Wilson for "not a lot of money".

He arrived in Australia more than a year ago and was slow to adapt.

"It took him a while to acclimatise," Moody said.

"We gave him a preparation in Sydney and then brought him back here but he had a bit of a virus.

"We just had to be patient but he's a young, sound horse and we want to keep him that way."

Moody said Zimbali, a winner over 2400m in France, would continue to improve and be better placed with a step up in journey.

He instructed Nolen to give the horse a push along early in the race, fearing Zimbali might otherwise struggle to stay in touch with the field.

Luckily the pace was slow and Nolen was able to save ground on the fence turning for home before Zimbali unleashed a powerful finish.

"There's good improvement and I would think he will extend out to a mile-and-a-half (2400m) plus," Moody said.