A kind gesture from Glen Boss came back to haunt him on Saturday when apprentice Patrick Moloney produced former hurdler Tuscan Fire for an upset win at Flemington.

Boss was Tuscan Fire's regular rider last campaign but elected to partner favourite Henwood in Saturday's Lesley Viney and Colin McKnight Handicap (1410m).

The champion hoop generously gave Moloney some pre-race advice about the seven-year-old, who is best known as a stayer and had never won over a sprint trip.

But defying those statistics, Tuscan Fire ($101) stormed down the outside to nail Boss and Henwood in the final strides.

"He told me of his little idiosyncrasies," Moloney said.

"He said he's a twitchy horse and to just keep him comfortable in the gates. After that, let him sit back and he'll find his own comfort zone."

Moloney had earlier scored on Resistant in the Margo Harland and Margaret Eades Handicap (1410) and was thrilled to claim a Saturday metropolitan double.

"Flemington is the best feeling ever, it's something you dream of as a kid," Moloney said.

"Riding over the spring carnival is the next big thing."

Surprised trainer Dan O'Sullivan was apologising to followers of Tuscan Fire for winning at such outrageous odds.

"We haven't cranked him up - our aim is three months away in the Caulfield Cup," O'Sullivan said.

"This is a big bonus and pays for the good races later on, but I'm sure a lot of people will be kicking me for winning at that big price."

Tuscan Fire came from near the rear on the turn to nudge out $2.30 favourite Henwood by a short half-head with Lady's Angel ($8) another short head away third.