Jimmy Recard showed real grit to land the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield, fighting back after a bump in the straight to defeat Tycoon Star by a long head.

The $3.60 favourite, ridden by Jamie Melham, had looked vulnerable at the 200m mark but rallied strongly, with Express Class another 1-½ lengths away in third.

It was Jimmy Recard’s third win on the trot, following a Gosford maiden in June and the Taj Rossi Sprint Final at Flemington.

Melham said the colt had come of age.

“When he got that bump at the 200 (metres), I thought he would put the white flag up, but he didn’t and dug deep,” he said.

Trainer Ciaron Maher said the colt, who races in the same colours as Group 1 winner Southport Tycoon, is improving with each run.

Future targets include the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) if he stretches in distance, or the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) if he remains a sprinter.