Cilacap’s return to racing on Friday marks the first step in a broader autumn plan mapped out by trainer Grahame Begg.

The talented mare will resume in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Sandown before shifting focus to the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

Begg has earmarked the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) as the major autumn targets.

Her Sydney campaign is expected to kick off in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill.

Cilacap has been absent since April when she finished tenth in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield, after which a bone chip was removed.

“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.”

Although she was initially trained by Kris Lees, Cilacap joined Begg’s stable before making her debut.

The mare boasts an impressive strike rate, winning four times from seven starts, including the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m).

Begg has ruled out longer trips, including the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m), believing the mare is best suited to middle distances.

Logan Bates, who has been aboard in recent preparatory work, will partner Cilacap on Friday.

Betting markets for Cilacap’s return can be found via the Australian betting sites list.