Tally Makes It Four On End

Australia's premier classic, the G1 Australian Derby, has come into calculations for Tally after the colt took another leap forward with victory in the G2 Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday, March 18.

Tally (John O'Shea/Craig Williams) earned a shot at the blue riband thanks to a combination of his own prolific talent and a perfect ride that led to a fourth win on end.

"John O'Shea identified this race last Spring as his target and he's done the job," said David Charles who heads Godolphin's Melbourne stable.

"He'd always shown he would be up to a race like this and he's proved it tonight."

Tally showed his potential in a seven-length maiden win early last spring and was then sent for a break after a good fifth in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase at his next start.

"Right from the beginning John (O'Shea) identified him as a horse with the talent to win a good race and he's proved him right," Charles said.

Tally resumed with a confidence-boosting success on the provincial circuit followed by a win in restricted three-year-old company at Moonee Valley and a victory in the G2 Autumn Classic that put the Alister Clark firmly onto his agenda.

While Tally's undeniable talent played the major part in his latest win, the performance of jockey Craig Williams proved vital.

Williams settled the son of Street Cry in the second half of the field on the inside of race favourite Palentino and then followed that horse into the race from the 600m.

"I tried to get onto the back of the favourite from the start but ended up in a slightly awkward spot," Williams said.

"But when I had the chance to make a move, I had the horse to take me there.

"Palentino is a Group One winner, but he put him away without much trouble."

Once given full rein, Tally raced away from Palentino to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths.