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.