Former Melbourne stakes winner Hard Stride won his first race in 18 months but had to do it the tough way at Doomben on Saturday.

Hard Stride ($4.60) led by several lengths early before being attacked by Don't Tease Me and Marina Sands to the home turn in the Buy A Bale Hcp (1050m).

He was able to kick clear on straightening and held on to beat Handyman Bob ($6.50) by a half neck.

Trainer Tony Sears breathed a deep sigh of relief after the win which was Hard Stride's first since winning at Flemington in February last year.

"I didn't expect him to be attacked by two horses like that. It was a big effort and he ran right up to the two jump outs he had won recently," Sears said.

Leading Melbourne owner David Moodie sent Hard Stride, who won the 2014 Listed Regal Roller Stakes, north after he lost form.

"Apparently, Hard Stride went over in the barriers about a year ago and lost his confidence. It has taken a while to get it back."

"David has been good to me and we have had some luck with another of his horses Pillar of Creation.

"I put some of my owners into David's Contract Racing syndicate to race him."

"Hard Stride failed in two Listed races here in the winter but spelled well at my farm."

Apprentice Emma Ljung, who is on the comeback trail after breaking a collarbone in a bad fall at Toowoomba earlier this year, was full of praise for Hard Stride.

"They attacked him but he never gave up," she said.