Tally set to make it count in Naturalism

The ever-reliable Tally takes the next step on a path intended to take him to the G1 Caulfield Cup when he runs in the G3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

A Derby placegetter at three, Tally is also a G2 and Listed winner and has run third at G1 level in a career that has yielded six wins and eight placings and put him within striking distance of A$1m in prizemoney.

He has also shown in his two runs this preperation that his appetite for racing is undiminished.

“I’m really pleased with the way he’s returned with two slashing runs. The 2000m at this stage should be perfect,” said trainer James Cummings.  

Tally (Michael Walker) has an automatic entry into next month’s Caulfield Cup, but it is an event named in honour of his trainer’s legendary grandfather that is his next goal.

“Importantly, he’s going to be very fit after this for the 2500m of the Bart Cummings in a couple of weeks,” Cummings said.

Further Spring targets could also be in store for Fragonard after she runs in the ungraded Riding For The Disabled Handicap at Caulfield.

“She scored a slashing win first up at Moonee Valley a month ago and since then has had a really good few weeks between runs,” Cummings said.

“She goes to the race fresh and that bit stronger than she was first up.”

The daughter of New Approach has a wide selection of Stakes races against her own sex to choose from, with the G2 Tristarc Stakes and the G1 Myer Classic among the options.

Cummings will also run the promising three-year-olds Banish (Dwayne Dunn) in the non-graded Pinchapoo Plate and Bandipur (Damian Lane) in the Fight Cancer Foundation Plate.

“We get the feeling that Banish is a tough little filly. We’re happy to let her line up here, and we’ll be really impressed if she’s able to win,” he said.

“Bandipur looks fantastic, there’s not a lot of him, but he’s going to really enjoy coming back to 1100m, he’s a bit sharper and bit stronger over this trip.”