The Ciaron Maher stable is considering several race paths for the three-year-old filly Signature Scent, with two Stakes races on the potential itinerary.
Signature Scent holds entries for the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) and the Three-Year-Old Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield, as well as the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville. All three races are scheduled to be run on Saturday.
Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, identified the race against her own age group at Caulfield as the most appealing option.
Signature Scent is allocated 59.5kg for the Caulfield handicap. If the stable opts to use the 3kg claim from Jabez Johnstone, who partnered the filly in her 1100m victory on July 11, her weight would be reduced to 56.5kg.
Conversely, under the weight-for-age conditions of the Bletchingly Stakes, Signature Scent would be competing against horses of all ages and would carry 56kg. At Morphettville, the Lightning Stakes is a set-weights event for two and three-year-olds, where she would be assigned 57kg.
“The idea of this campaign is to get her back winning and if she was to win again, or run well, there are plenty of races coming up and we don’t have to rush back too soon at the moment if we don’t feel we have to,” Turnbull said.
He elaborated, “The fact that she is relaxing better now gives her the opportunity to get 1200 (metres).”
“She was a bit of a one trick pony early and the blinkers have really helped her, and it opens up a few more options.”
Signature Scent has competed at Morphettville previously, winning over 1050m on March 28, then finishing third in the Listed Redelva Stakes (1100m) and fifth in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m).
While a final decision on which race Signature Scent will contest is still to be determined, the Maher team will also be represented by Recommendation in the Bletchingly Stakes.
This will be Recommendation’s third start in the Bletchingly Stakes, having won the race in 2024 before finishing fifth last year.
Recommendation is coming off a last start sixth in the Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 11. This race pleased the Maher stable, even though the sprinter settled further back than the connections had hoped.
“There was a lot of pressure early which probably exaggerated where he got to,” Turnbull explained. “We had the winners back, but it was a bit quicker than us, but we feel as though he’s back to his best to be winning this.”
“He didn’t come up well last time and the six (1200m) is no issue and weight-for-age conditions is generally his go.”
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