Wanda Ings' Blue Lake Boy looks to claim his second win for Bathurst trainer

The five-year-old Unencumbered gelding goes out in this Saturday's Benchmark 50 Handicap (1,400 metres) at Mudgee chasing a second victory for the Bathurst trainer since a change of stables over winter.

Blue Lake Boy was a winner at the Gunnedah picnics in August then put in a solid performance when jumping back up into TAB racing, running fourth at Orange in his first look at a heavy track.

Ings likes what she's seen so far from her new acquisition.

"His win at the picnics wasn't surprising. That was like a barrier trial for him to get his fitness up, but his next run for fourth was a lovely run," she said.

"He's a laid back little horse who keeps improving. It was a nice run for him going back up to the TAB class. Young Ash did a great job with him so we've got her back on again."

He makes a jump back up in weight this time, moving from a Class 1 to a benchmark 50 race, but gets some relief thanks to jockey Ashleigh Stanley's claim.

Ings believes if the recent rain persists into the weekend then Blue Lake Boy should still handle the going well.

"I'm not sure that he'll handle really hard tracks because he has a couple of little issues with his feet. I think between a Soft 5 to 7 would make him very competitive," she said.

The Bathurst trainer also has both Ardstraw and Dicko's Mate nominated for the meeting.

"Dicko's Mate doesn't really like a wet track so he's a chance of being scratched if the track gets badly downgraded but Ardstraw handles it, though I wouldn't like to subject her to a Heavy 10," Ings said.

"She's probably ready to perform now. She normally takes a couple of runs before she hits her hobbles."

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