Fitter Ingratiating to step out in the Bletchingly Stakes

A fitter Ingratiating is expected to step out in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield.

The Godolphin galloper, trained by James Cummings, runs second-up in the Group 3 weight-for-age race over 1200m at Caulfield on Saturday.

Ingratiating made his return at Caulfield on July 8, finishing fifth in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m).

That was the four-year-old’s first run since November, despite the entire having had two barrier trials in Sydney to prepare him for his return.

Sean Keogh, Cummings’ assistant trainer in Melbourne, said Ingratiating was possibly in need of the run when racing first-up in the Sir John Monash.

“He was probably a smidge disappointing on face value, but we felt like he probably needed the run heading into the Bletchingly,” Keogh said.

“He pulled-up fine, maybe a little bit big.

“I know his best performances have been at Caulfield when fresh over 1100 metres, but he was a little bit big this time in being a year older.

“He pulled-up sound from the run and he’s been perfect since.”

Ingratiating has good Caulfield sprint form.

He ran second in the Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) and in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) as a two-year-old, won the Vain Stakes as a three-year-old before winning first-up over 1100m last September ahead of running second in the Schillaci Stakes (1100m).

Ingratiating has also handled all track conditions, although Keogh said the team believe he is better performed on drier ground.

“He has some form on a heavy track, but we feel he performs better on a drier track, but the track won’t be a bother for him on Saturday,” Keogh said.

A total of 15 horses have been nominated for Saturday’s sprint.

Nominations were extended until 10am on Tuesday with the Cathleen Wilson-trained Jack Of It the only late nomination.

Jack Of It has been successful at Mornington and Sandown, in benchmark 70 grade, at his past two starts.