In an impressive comeback, re-emerging galloper Tintern has secured his second victory this spring winning the Cool Melbourne Plate (1700m) at Sandown on Saturday.

In the days’ opening race, Tintern gave Lloyd Williams’ newly appointed private trainer Robert Hickmott a victory with his debut runner, ahead of his success in the Group 2 Sandown Classic feature with Zipping later in the day.

Happy with Tintern’s progress, Hickmott is now looking to next Saturdays Group 3 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown for the five-year-old gelding that has only seen nine career starts.

Tintern suffered a tendon injury in February in 2008 following an imposing hat-trick at Sandown as a three-year-old. The persistent injury has been of concern ever since, restricting the number of races Tintern has been able to contend.

The first race on Oaks Day at Flemington, however, was the platform for the runner’s comeback as he took out the 7 Two Plate (1800m). Add to that his Cool Melbourne Plate success and Tintern now has two successive wins over 1700m and is looking in-form.

Tintern defeated Rhyno Chaser by a half-head with Packing Hero in third.

The William’s stable won the 1700m event at Sandown last year as well with the talented Instructor who followed up the victory as runner-up to Eskimo Dan in the Eclipse Stakes over 2100m.

This year the Eclipse distance has been shortened to 1800m and Tintern is looking more and more the one to beat.

The Tony Vasil-trained Lucky Secret claimed an imposing victory in the Listed Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m) on Saturday at Betfair Park.

In-form hoop Nash Rawiller rode the skilful sprinter in his first race over 1200m to an easy victory ahead of Posadas by three-quarters of a length, after letting Lucky Secret’s full power loose with only 150m to go. Diplomatic Force finished third a further length and three-quarters away.

The win boosted the six-year-olds’ record to 14 wins from 23 career starts, securing over $955 000 in prizemoney.

Vasil has had to treat Lucky Secret with extra care as the galloper has suffered tender feet throughout his career, but is now certain the Rubiton gelding has an international win in him.

Possible international races Vasil is considering for Lucky Secret’s campaign include the New Zealand $200 000 Railway or $1 million Telegraphy Handicap, both held at Trentham, Wellington. Ideally he would love to take Lucky Secret to Dubai for the Golden Shaheen or England for the King’s Stand (1000m).

He has ruled out a trip to Hong Kong because of the humidity and pollution.