Grahame Begg has carefully mapped out a return path for Cilacap that he hopes will culminate in Group 1 success during the Sydney autumn carnival.

The mare will resume in Friday’s Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Sandown before heading north for a targeted Sydney campaign.

Begg has the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill and the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick firmly in his sights.

Her Sydney preparation is expected to begin in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m).

Cilacap has not raced since finishing tenth in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield in April, a run that preceded surgery to remove a bone chip.

“She had arthroscopic surgery to remove that chip, that’s why she missed the spring,” Begg said.

“She’s had a long, slow, steady build-up. She’s been in work for a long time, along with a bit of equestrian, a bit of beach work, but she’s in great order and very sound.

“I wasn’t going to run her, but I thought, no get her to a level of fitness, and then back-off.

“If you can get that one run into them after a long lay-off, it then sets you up for later on, so after Friday we will back off her, and she can head to Sydney for the autumn races.

“She loves a bit of give in the ground.”

Cilacap began her racing education with Kris Lees at Newcastle before transferring to Begg’s stable prior to debut.

She has won four of her seven starts, highlighted by a Group 3 victory in the Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

Begg had previously considered an Adelaide autumn campaign, including the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m), but now believes her future lies between 1500m and 1600m.

Apprentice Logan Bates, who has partnered Cilacap in recent jump-outs and trials, will take the ride on Friday.

Early betting markets for the Christmas Stakes are available via the Australian betting sites list.