Nicolini Vito handed the Lindsay Park team back-to-back victories in the Victoria Handicap at Caulfield, following in the footsteps of stablemate Here To Shock who won the same race last year.

Trainer Will Hayes compared the seasoned galloper to a fine wine after the rising eight-year-old delivered a perfectly timed finish to win the Group 3 feature over 1400m.

“He’s like a fine wine, he’s getting better as he gets older,” Hayes said.

Under a calm ride from Luke Currie, Nicolini Vito ($11) sliced through the field in the straight to snatch victory by a half-head over Miss Aria ($9.50), with Roll On High ($11) close behind in third.

Now a nine-time winner from 42 starts, Nicolini Vito is nearing $1 million in earnings and could be primed for his best campaign yet, according to his trainer.

“The key with him is that he is relaxing better in the early part of his races which is allowing him to hit the line strongly,” Hayes said.

“I think he could go out in trip again.”

The win was his first since a Sandown success last May, though he’s raced well throughout winter and spring without breaking through.

Hayes also credited Currie for executing the plan to perfection.

“We just thought with the rise up to 1400 metres, we want to keep him in a rhythm, keep him comfortable,” Hayes said.

“He didn’t panic around the bend, he took all the runs that came and when the split came, he had the horse underneath him to really savage the line.

“It was a very impressive win.”

Currie admitted the race didn’t unfold as expected but was pleased with how smoothly it came together in the end.

“Being back on the fence wasn’t part of the plan, but I was lucky enough to pick our way through and get there in time,” Currie said.

“He was the easiest ride. He wasn’t bolting behind them, not crashing and banging. It was nice and easy for him and if the runs came for him, he was going to quicken.

“If they didn’t, then I would be getting the sack.”