Chris Waller trained Comin’ Through has surprised at Randwick on Saturday, claiming the 1400m Tramway Stakes by a neck in a late dash at the line.

Racing alongside fellow stablemates Egg Tart, Youngstar, and the unfortunate Tom Melbourne, who once again ran second, the five-year old gelding opened his Spring campaign with a first-up win from the inside draw.

Coming right down to the wire, a late dive from Dixie Blossoms from a three-wide position made the race interesting, while Tom Melbourne missed out by a narrow margin to finish runner-up.

Starting at $8.50 with Ladbrokes, Comin’ Through was a roughie in a field led by favourite and three-time Group 1 winner, Le Romain.

Kris Lees’ six-year old jumped well and moved three deep on the final turn, but faded in between a couple with less than 100m to go – a disappointing finish after winning a fortnight ago over a shorter journey.

As for Comin’ Through, it wasn’t an easy ride, but jockey Michael Walker still felt like he got the most out of his horse.

“He’s not an easy horse to ride” Walker told Sky Racing after the race.

“He jumped good enough, I got to the front too early and he didn’t want to pull up. Chris (Walker) had done a tremendous job to get him back first up to win, I’m surprised people were tipping other horses, I always thought he could’ve won. ”

Although the victory perhaps wasn’t as convincing as the Walker stable might have hoped, Comin’ Through has now firmed from $41 into $31 ahead of the $1 million Group 1 Epsom Handicap later this month.

In between now and then, the goal looks to be the Group 1 Makaybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 15.

“He’ll be handicapped at the Epsom so we thought Makaybe Diva” trainer Chris Waller said.

“A mile at Flemington will keep him interested”

Improving from his previous campaign, a stint that saw him win twice in six starts, Comin’ Through continues to grow stronger with Walker in the saddle. It isn’t always pretty, but the six-year old can get the job done, which might carry him overseas in the not too distant future.

“The Japan Cup is probably the plan” Walker said post-race.

As far as the rest of Waller’s runners are concerned, in particular Egg Tart and Youngstar, the future also looks promising.

“They went terrific” Waller said. “For where they’re heading stepping up in trip, they’ve got a very bright spring ahead”.