Dual acceptor Lanigera will tackle the shorter distance of 1000m first up in the Group 3 $160,000 Ladbrokes Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Jockey Dwayne Dunn, above, rides Lanigera in the Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Trainer James Cummings had also accepted with Lanigera in the 1100m Group 3 $160,000 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday but chose the shorter sprint distance for the Denman colt to cover for the first time in almost four months.

Lanigera hasn’t raced since his debut fourth in the Listed $120,000 Inglis Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on October 13 and Cummings expects the 1000m of the Chairman’s Stakes to suit him at this stage of his campaign.

“In the end I decided to go to Caulfield where he’s raced before and the five furlongs of the race there suits him beautifully,” Cummings said.

“The horse has had a solid grounding to be suited first-up and I feel like he’s an improved version of what he was last year.

“So I think he’s capable of running strongly in this race.”

Lanigera has drawn barrier five in the nine horse Chairman’s Stakes field with Dwayne Dunn booked to the ride and is well fancied in the betting at Ladbrokes.com.au at $5 behind the joint $4.20 favourites Art Collection and Loving Gaby.

The Lindsay Park trained Art Collection is also resuming from a spell after finishing second at her only start in the Group 3 $150,000 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington during the 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

I Am Invincible filly Loving Gaby from the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace Caulfield stables is facing the starter for the first time and has shown plenty of ability with a 900m barrier trial win at Pakenham on January 15.