The Ciaron Maher stable has had a 1000m dash at Stakes level in mind for Signature Scent for a considerable period.
Despite not finishing in the top three in her most recent three-year-old race, the stable sees no reason not to line her up in the Group 3 Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Sandown this Saturday.
Having won four times from eleven starts, the stable believes Saturday’s race presents the ideal opportunity to test the mare at Stakes level again.
Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, noted several factors that are advantageous for the mare on Saturday.
“The trip is a big plus and she likes soft ground,” Turnbull said. “And she’s had four weeks in between runs this time. We thought she didn’t run to her best last start because we ran her back a bit quick. She was physically fine, but she was first-up off a 10-week let-up and went back (to the races) after two weeks which is a hard thing to do. It’s a bit of a reprieve, four weeks into this. She’s not in great at the weights, but her quality gives her the chance to be competitive.”
Signature Scent was initially purchased for $200,000 at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale, with Yulong later acquiring her for $1 million at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale in 2024.
The mare still has a significant way to go to recoup her purchase price, but a victory on Saturday would be a positive beginning.
“Black Type is essential for her,” Turnbull stated. “She’s got a good page, she is Black Type placed, but if she was to be a winner, it would be immense.”
Turnbull mentioned that it’s unlikely Signature Scent would race again in two weeks if she performs well on Saturday in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Sandown.
“Especially off the two-week turnaround,” Turnbull added. “There is the Wylie Handicap in Adelaide on September 12, so if she was to run well, that could be a race we could look at.”
Signature Scent has a previous win at Morphettville and finished second in the Listed Redelva Stakes in April.
As the Carlyon Stakes draws nearer, punters are checking racing odds to find the best value.
