Taking on a $250,000 race at a distance shorter than what seems to be his preferred, and having been out of the winners’ list for more than a year, hasn’t stood in the way of Regardsmaree snaring a late drive victory in the VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) at Caulfield.

The five-year-old gelding hadn’t won since February 2021 and just like the result today, he notched that one by the barest of margins.

Regardsmaree ($20) broke the winning drought by a short-head over Lombardo ($4.20) and The Astrologist ($5) a nose away in third.

This win followed an eighth placing in a benchmark 100 event at Bendigo on 2 April.

“I think he’s won four or five for us now, he’s been a terrific horse,” trainer Nick Ryan said.

“We were a bit disappointed at Bendigo. We thought he was a bit plain but we forgave him second-up and elected to keep him fresh and at 1200 metres.”

Back to this set weights and penalties event, and away from carnival black type company, Regardsmaree notched his seventh win in 26 starts to add to seven other placings.

Five of those wins have been over 1400 metres with this the gelding’s first in anything shorter than 1300 metres.

A late riding change saw Billy Egan take the mount replacing Rhys McLeod.

“Nick has thrown me a few bones lately, so whatever Rhys can’t ride hopefully I can get on,” Egan said.

“Unfortunately Rhys couldn’t make it today but they’re a good team so whatever scraps I get is good enough for me.”

Ryan indicated that Regardsmaree could back up in the Listed Anniversary Vase (1400m) at Sandown next Saturday with other options at the Warrnambool Carnival in the week following.

“There’s also, maybe, the Goodwood in Adelaide if we want to raise the bar,’ he added.

Regardsmaree is rated a $26 hope in TAB’s market for the Group 1 feature 1200 metre sprint at Morphettville on 21 May.