Bendigo trainer Steven Lake has savoured his first Melbourne metropolitan winner for almost 18 years at Moonee Valley - with a son of his previous city winner.

Four-year-old gelding Master's Degree provided Lake, who trains a team of four, with a career highlight when he won Friday night's Tour Of Victoria Distance Final (2500m) by 2-1/4 lengths.

Lake bred and part owns Master's Degree and hadn't trained a Melbourne city winner since Master's Degree's dam Kinder Girl won at Flemington in May 1996.

"I did train a winner in Brisbane when I did a trip 10 years ago at Doomben. But the last time I trained a metropolitan winner in Melbourne was his mother," Lake said.

Lake targeted Friday night's race which carried Vobis bonuses of $30,000 in addition to the $48,000 first prize.

Master's Degree went into the race on the back of a Bendigo win over 2400m two starts ago and a last start second over 2500m at the Valley on December 28.

"I'm just thrilled to bits," Lake said.

"I earmarked this race some time ago. I thought I placed him pretty well and it's all come off."

Master's Degree ($7) defeated Pauling with Duplicity Jones a neck away third.

Lake also plans to return to Moonee Valley in two weeks for a 3000m race with Master's Degree.

"I think there's still a few more runs left in him this preparation," he said.

The trainer also praised the ride of apprentice Jackie Beriman who brought up a race-to-race double after winning on Solsay.