The decision by trainer John O'Shea to drop Demonstrate back in distance at Moonee Valley has produced the desired result with the gelding scoring his first city win on the opening day of the new Australian racing season.

Demonstrate was well supported, firming from $8 to $5.50, in Saturday's 1PRINT Handicap (1000m) for three-year-olds before going on to score by a short-head.

The son of New Approach contested lead-up races to the Blue Diamond as a juvenile and broke through for his maiden win when dominating from the front over 1200m at Mornington last month.

But he was unplaced as favourite over 1200m straight course at Flemington two weeks ago.

"John thought that he over-raced a fraction down the straight over the 1200 and got a bit lost," Godolphin's Melbourne stable representative David Charles said.

"John really thought that the turn would suit him and the tempo of the race, and it worked out perfectly.

"I think a combination of a horse with a bit of talent and a very good ride from Craig (Newitt) helped us get there today."

Demonstrate travelled up behind the leaders Top Me Up and favourite Attack The Line.

He sprinted with enthusiasm but had to fend off a challenge from Star Planet to win narrowly with two lengths to Destiny's Reward third.

Demonstrate's time of 1min.71secs was almost one second slower than Petit Filous ran to win the opening race for three-year-old fillies.