Apprentice Jim Orman feared he had cost himself victory by riding Lock's Legend too well before they combined to win at Doomben on Saturday.

Orman gave the favourite Lock's Legend ($2.25) the run of the race in third place behind the leaders in the Qantas Founders Museum Handicap (2030m).

However, when Orman went to get off the fence in the straight he found himself in a pocket and couldn't get clear.

Eventually, Locke's Legend got out and charged home to score by a half neck to Hora Sexta ($12).

"I thought we might have got out too late but I knew I was on the best horse and that he would finish hard," Orman said.

Trainer Brian Smith was in Sydney on Saturday but he has done an excellent job with Lock's Legend who was once considered a 1200m sprinter.

Fellow trainer Barry Lockwood saddled up Lock's Legend and paid tribute to his friend Smith.

"Brian is a genius with horses over middle and staying distances. This is a perfect example as he has gradually got the horse to settle," he said.