On a day when breaking a long run of outs has become the norm, Malice took his place on the board with a dominant performance in Saturday's $125,000 Listed ATC Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens.
The 6yo gelded son of Teofilo (IRE) was making his 21st start since his last win came in the same race two years ago.
With James Doyle in the saddle, the John O'Shea-trained gelding hit the line powerfully to defeat the Chris Waller-trained Beyond Thankful (IRE) (Whipper) by half a length, with another length back to Peter Robl's
"We're really happy for James to get his eye in so early," O'Shea said.
"It was a fantastic ride and the horse really needed it because he hadn't won for a while.
"But he's always had an affiliation with this track, his best performances have been here.
"He's by Teofilo, who we don't have a many of, but we have brought him back (to Darley Stud) this year so he has a few coming over the next few years, so that will be great.
"We're thinking of running him in the Villiers but we'll have to see what James says.
"He has good form over a mile at Randwick so we'll see what happens."
Malice is the first foal of the winning Encosta de Lago mare Aforethought who's stakes-placed dam Money Begets Money (Bite The Bullet) is a sister to Mica's Pride the dam of Criterion, Varenna Miss and Silently.
Aforethought has a 2yo Teofilo colt named Sanctioned and was covered last year by Dawn Approach (IRE) after losing her 2014
