Bel Price met a superstar almost eight months ago before their careers skewed off in different directions.

After finishing a length behind Lankan Rupee when fourth in a Moonee Valley sprint in October last year, Bel Price ended up in the veterinary surgery.

Lankan Rupee became the world's best sprinter while Bel Price began a period of rehabilitation after an examination revealed she had sustained a tendon injury.

Trainer Jerome Hunter decided to keep Bel Price active with light work rather than sending her to a paddock to recover.

A regimen of trotting, slow pacework and beach work paid off when the five-year-old claimed Saturday's PFD Food Services Handicap (1100m).

"This horse not seen a paddock in nearly a year," Hunter said.

"We kept on keeping the tendon supple, I guess, and then strengthening and strengthening it.

"That's the latest theory, just keep working them and that's what we did."

Bel Price's win capped Hunter's own comeback of sorts after the Mornington-based horseman gave away training almost seven years ago.

Hunter worked as an equine acupuncturist for five years before returning as a private trainer for owner Graeme Gathercole.

Apprentice Jye McNeil guided Bel Price ($19) to a half-neck win over the Mick Price-trained Halle Rocks ($11) while the $51 chance Unique Storm was third.

Flemington trainer John Sadler gave talented mare Vain Queen a chance to show her unplaced run at Sandown was aberration.

Punters let Vain Queen drift from $2.70 to $4 but she weakened to finish sixth after racing wide on the speed.