The best that trainer Gerald Ryan hoped for before the race was to finish second in Saturday's Kewney Stakes at Flemington.

And in the run he thought third would be the most likely result.

Accordingly, Ryan was thoroughly surprised when Flying Snitzel steamed home to win the Group Two race, knocking out the odds-on favourite Norzita in the process.

"I expected her to run second to Norzita at best," Ryan said.

"And when I looked up at the 400 and saw Norzita cruising I hoped we could run third.

"In the end it was an incredible win."

At their previous meeting at Randwick in October, Flying Snitzel couldn't get within six lengths of Norzita, but Ryan explained his filly needs to be ridden exactly as she was on Saturday.

"I was actually happy that she drew wide," Ryan said.

"It meant she had to go back."

Flying Snitzel ($16) came from last of the 11 runners at the 400m, joined in at the 100m mark and exploded past Norzita ($1.65) to score by 1-1/4 lengths.

Red Fez ($14) battled on for third another three-quarters of a length away.

Ryan said Flying Snitzel was likely to remain in Melbourne while the tracks remained firm.