The two class acts, Ingratiating and General Beau, fought out the finish of Saturday's $200,000 Group III Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Given a picture-perfect ride by Blake Shinn, the James Cummings-trained 4yo Frosted (USA) entire Ingratiating wore down the courageous Brazen Beau entire General Beau by a half-length with three-quarters of a length back to the talented Eurozone gelding Mnementh, who edged Nicolini Vito (Nicconi) for third.
With his fourth stakes success, Ingratiating advances his record to five wins, five seconds, and five thirds with earnings of $1,878,240.
"He’s a lovely horse with fine form,” Godolphin representative Tian Pozman said.
“He is by Frosted (USA) out of a mare called Obsequious, and she is a Group winning mare. Seeing him come here, put his best foot forward, and show us what he is made of is fantastic.
“He jumped well; Blake kept him comfortable, went through the gears, and finished it well. He had a lovely turn of foot. He had the tongue tie on and worked well with it throughout the week.
“A fantastic effort, a fantastic ride and full credit to the Sydney and Melbourne teams.”
Ingratiating flagged his ability at two, winning the Listed Maribyrnong Trial, and Listed Talindert Stakes, and placing in the Group 1 Blue Diamond stakes, Group 1 Golden Slipper, Group III Maribyrnong Plate, and Group III Chairman's Stakes.
Ingratiating is the best of four winners from as many to race out of the Lonhro mare Obsequious, winner of the Group II ATC Light Fingers Stakes and Group III San Domenico Stakes.
Eddie Hirsch purchased Obsequious for $27,500 from the Godolphin draft offered at the 2020 Inglis July (Early) Online Sale.
She was carrying a full-brother to Ingratiating and has a yearling filly by Russian Revolution.
Obsequious has a weanling colt by Frosted (USA) and was covered by the son of Tapit again last spring.
Frosted (USA) is not returning to Darley this year.
