Godolphin's Street Cry (IRE) gelding Tally looked top drawer as a three-year-old when he reeled off four consecutive wins including a Group II double before finishing third in Tavago's Group 1 ATC Derby.
But it has been lean pickings in the two years since with just a lone success in the Listed Mornington Cup in his last 19 starts.
The 5yo gelding put that all behind him in Saturday's Group III JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick.
There was drama at the start when the expected leader Arbeitsam flopped out of the barriers and was never a factor.
There was still a very solid pace set by a fired-up Radipole (IRE), which suited Tim Clarke on Tally just fine. The son of Street Cry (IRE) was strong to the line in defeating Nettoyer (Sebring) by three-quarters of a length with Rising Red (Redwood) a length and three-quarters back in third.
The James Cummings-trained gelding advances his overall record to 7 wins, 4 seconds and 4 thirds from 29 starts with earnings of $959,335.
He's been going all right at home, we have been mixing things up a bit, his gear, his work. We've brought him here very fit.
"He is deep into his campaign but it is good to see the old fellow capture a little bit of form.
"They set a solid pace – I had him in the Chairman's Handicap a couple of weeks ago on the back-up and I just thought if we wait for this race and play the patience game I'd have him very fit for today.
"I'm very proud of his effort and it was a good solid win.
"We might try and win the Wagga Cup with him. There are a few options but I like the idea."
Bred by Darley, Tally is the sixth foal of the imported Kris S mate Itemise (USA) who finished her racing career in Australia where she won the Listed STC Winter Cup and was runner-up in the Group 1 AJC Metropolitan Handicap.
The first six foals out of Itemise (USA) are all winners but that did not help her being culled by Darley at the 2014 Mafic Millions National Broodmare Sale with Ladyship Lodge signing the ticket for $41,000.
She has an unnamed 2yo colt and a yearling filly by Bernardini (USA).
Not served in 2016, Itemise (USA) was covered by Adelaide (IRE) last spring.
