Second Bullet is a stable stalwart for trainer Danny O'Brien and the eight-year-old is continuing to produce in the city arena, registering his 11th career victory with a determined display at Caulfield.
Under the urgings of champion jockey Damien Oliver, Second Bullet ($2.80) wore down the frontrunners at the end of 2400m in Saturday's Robert Hunter Handicap to beat leader Pissaro ($2.90) by a half-length with Double Bluff ($8) another length away third.
"He's an absolute ripper," O'Brien's racing manager Matt Harrington said.
"That's his 11th win. If you took wet track form out of it he's had 30 placings including 11 wins from 51 starts.
"He's been an absolute campaigner for us and a stable favourite for sure."
Second Bullet, by Encosta De Lago out of former outstanding racemare Private Steer, was stepping beyond 2040m for the first time in almost two years and was racing at 2400m for the first time since his second in the 2016 Bendigo Cup.
Harrington said Second Bullet, who has now won two of his past three starts, splits his time between O'Brien's Flemington stable and Barwon Heads property which he believes has really helped the gelding's longevity.
"He's in such good nick and he's loving life. He's a beauty," he said.