Baraqiel overcame a dramatic pre-race setback to storm to victory in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained sprinter was pulled from the gates for a veterinary inspection but was cleared to run, rewarding his connections with a dominant first-up win.

Ridden by Ben Allen, Baraqiel ($3.60) charged home to beat Midwest by 1¼ lengths, with Golden Boom third.

The five-year-old had been scratched from last month’s Bletchingly Stakes when Racing Victoria vets ruled him lame, delaying his return from an injury lay-off.

“The heart was fluttering beforehand … your heart sinks because of all the hard work that goes into him,” Corstens said. “It’s been a tough three to four weeks, but so much has gone into this horse.”

Baraqiel will now chase Moonee Valley’s Group 1 sprint double, with the Moir Stakes and Manikato Stakes next on his agenda.