Free Wheeling continued to put the memory of a potentially serious barrier incident behind him when he snared the Listed Hair and Beauty Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Wednesday.

The Sheikh Mohammed-owned $4.60 favourite strolled to the line 1-3/4 lengths ahead of Petman ($5) with Specter ($8.50) a further two lengths third.

Free Wheeling gave the stable some concerns as a two-year-old when, having won the Group Two Champagne Classic at Doomben, he reared in the gates at his next start in the QTC Sires' Produce Stakes, suffering injuries to his neck and wither.

He had nine months off and made a full recovery, stamping his return as a three-year-old with victory in the Listed Hawkesbury Guineas in May and a second in the Queensland Guineas.

Trainer Peter Snowden put his action in the Sires' down to a one-off aberration.

"He's not like that at all, he's a really quiet horse and he hasn't done it since thank God, because he could get hurt quite badly," Snowden said.

"It took him about three months to get over that."

Snowden he did not doubt Free Wheeling's chances in Wednesday's sprint.

"I was quietly confident all throughout," he said.

"He jumped well and put himself right there and travelled really strongly.

"He's a nice horse that's always showed good ability but I think this time we'll see the best of him."

Snowden said the Emirates Stakes (1600m) on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival was the Group One mission for Free Wheeling this spring.

Hugh Bowman has now ridden Free Wheeling four times for three wins and a second.