McCreery was never the focal point for Chris Waller at Randwick but he did rise to prominence late to claim the Group Three $150,000 Liverpool City Cup in trying conditions.

Racing for the first time since finishing second in the Group One Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last October, McCreery dropped to the back of the seven-horse field and trailed early leader and pre-race favourite Chetwood by 10 lengths before powering home down the straight to score by a length.

"He's a good tough, little horse. He's the smallest horse in the stable but he's got close to the biggest heart," Waller said before attention turned to Winx and the Chipping Norton Stakes.

Jockey Hugh Bowman was also impressed with the five-year-gelding's work over 1300m adding: "Good first-up performance. Very pleased with him."

McCreery's eye-catching return to action left Arod in his wake while Testashadow was a head back in third.

After his sixth career win, McCreery is quoted as an $11 chance for the $3 million Group One Doncaster Mile, a highlight of the Sydney Autumn Carnival on April 1.

Chetwood had a handy lead on the turn but faded to fifth, with jockey Tim Clark admitting the four-year-old gelding struggled to handle the heavy conditions over the last 600m.