Godolphin’s returning entire Ingratiating is favourite to kick off his latest campaign with a win at Caulfield in the 2023 Neds Sir John Monash Stakes on Saturday.

Ingratiating is one of the key chances in the 2023 Neds Sir John Monash Stakes in Melbourne this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Group 3 $200,000 Neds Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) headlines the weekend’s racing action with a final field of 13 winter sprinters engaged.

Donning the No. 1 saddlecloth and drawn well in gate four is the James Cummings-trained four-year-old Ingratiating who leads Sir John Monash Stakes betting at $4.80 through Ladbrokes.com.au.

The son of Frosted is a first-up specialist (5:3-1-0) with plenty of form at the Caulfield track (7:2-3-0).

He has looked the part in two recent Sydney lead-up trials with as he prepares to atone for his las start flop when 13^th to Vilana at Newcastle in the $1 million The Hunter (1300m) last November.

The Everest performer and multiple Group 1 place-getter is down in grade here fresh back at his preferred distance making him a deserving favourite with Ben Melham aboard.

It is a tight top-half of the markets with a host of other runners under double-figures for the win including the current $5 second elect Sigh.

The rails-drawn mare is prepared by Peter Moody and is the early Sir John Monash Stakes market mover chasing her third win on the trot.

The bonny four-year-old comes off back-to-back Flemington wins at the distance, the latest defeating General Beau narrowly on June 17, and there’s money to suggest she can keep the victories coming on Saturday from the inside alley despite going up in weight.

Following closely at Sir John Monash Stakes odds of $5.50 is fellow mare Mileva drawn well in gate six for jockey Ben Allen.

The Phillip Stokes-trained daughter of Headwater runs first-up on Saturday and has an impressive record fresh (6:4-1-0).

She is a two-time Caulfield winner from four previous starts at the track and is back in Melbourne having last been seen running second in Adelaide’s Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes (1100m) in April.

A further three runners are under $10 for the win including the Bjorn Baker-trained recent Hawkesbury Rush winner Malkovich ($7) who presents as the fit horse in the mix fourth-up.

The in-form Grahame Begg-trained three-year-old Katsu ($9) and the Matthew Ellerton-trained Brazen Beau four-year-old General Beau ($9.50) drawn out in gate 13 complete the best fancied of the runners.

Two back Katsu was good only a quarter-length back third in Sandown’s Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1000m).

The progressive Mikki Isle gelding then carted 60kg last start when runner-up over the 1000m here on June 24 in a three-year-old’s handicap.

He drops back to 58kg here but will need to produce a career best up in distance against the older horses.

The Neds Sir John Monash Stakes 2023 is set to run as Caulfield Race 8 at 4:10pm (AEST) with full markets thanks to Ladbrokes.com.au available by clicking here.

2023 Sir John Monash Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw  

Table Credit: Racing Australia.