A plan to showcase the progeny of new stallion and former champion American galloper Frosted early in the season has paid off with Ingratiating taking out the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington.
The James Cummings-trained colt proved too strong for odds-on favourite General Beau in the closing stages and Cummings also produced the third placegetter, Cloudy, who is also by Frosted.
Melbourne stable foreman Sean Keogh pointed out that another filly by Frosted, The Globe, was placed in the first two-year-old race in Melbourne last month.
Frosted stands at Darley’s Northwood Park at Avenel.
Keogh said Ingratiating showed speed, class and toughness in his win.
“He’s got plenty of scope to come and we’re delighted with that,” Keogh said.
Ingratiating was ridden by Damien Oliver who described him “as a little ripper”.
Oliver had ridden him in two trials and said he knew he had ability but hadn’t put it all together yet.
“He jumped well today, which he hadn’t done in his trials, and he was a very professional horse,” Oliver said.
“It’s always good when they clear out from the rest and you think they’re two nice colts and this horse has got a good future.”
Ingratiating ($12) defeated General Beau ($1.50 fav) by a length with Cloudy ($13) another 4-1/2 lengths away third.
The following winner September Run, who flew home to claim the Poseidon Stakes (1100m), will be aimed at the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on October 31.
Trainer Chris Waller’s Melbourne foreman Jo Taylor said the three-year-old filly loved the straight.
“She’s now won up the inside (of the straight), up the outside, it doesn’t really matter,” Taylor said.
“It’s been key to have her settling and just doing it in a lovely rhythm at the back and producing it at the right time, and she sure was lethal.”
