Tally lands Autumn Classic for Godolphin

Godolphin has achieved an important autumn target with Tally taking out a Group Two race at Caulfield.

The Autumn Classic on Saturday was pencilled in for Tally after he finished fifth in the Moonee Valley Vase last spring.

After successive wins against older horses at Kyneton and Moonee Valley, Tally scored a comfortable win against his three-year-old opposition.

His task was made easier with the scratching of early favourite Mahuta who is being saved for next week's Group One Australian Guineas at Flemington.

Ridden by Craig Williams, Tally was sent out the $2.80 favourite before scoring a 1-3/4 length win from Flying Light ($7.50) with Top Ravine ($26) a long neck away third.

David Charles, in charge of the Melbourne stable for Godolphin trainer John O'Shea, said Tally had kept improving with each run.

He said the Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley on March 18 was the next likely target.

"John has always thought he'd make a quality stayer and he'll no doubt plot a path for the rest of the autumn," Charles said.

Charles suggested Derby races in Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane could be possibilities for the son of Street Cry.