The Ciaron Maher stable has a reputation for nurturing older mares and extracting their peak performances.
This is exemplified by horses like Bella Nipotina and Pride Of Jenni, who maintained their high level of ability as they aged.
Tennessee Bound, while perhaps not in the same category, has an achievement on her record that those two outstanding mares lack.
In her six starts to date, Tennessee Bound has remained undefeated, and she will be seeking to extend this perfect record in the Dr Sheahan Plate (1300m) at Sandown on Saturday.
Immature knees caused a delay in Tennessee Bound’s career debut until October last year, and the Maher team has managed her development with considerable expertise.
Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, commented on the stable’s careful planning of the mare’s race engagements.
“We’d have her in, give her a break, and thankfully (owner) Gerry (Ryan) just said do what you have to do,” Turnbull said.
“She’s a mare that has taken time and hopefully the time given repays us, but we can’t hide her now as we’ve placed her as best as we can.
“She’s in a 1300-metre benchmark 88 and we feel as though that’s that next bracket, but it’s tougher again than what she has been meeting.”
Turnbull mentioned that the stable is uncertain about the ultimate potential of Tennessee Bound.
Should Tennessee Bound continue her winning run on Saturday, there is a possibility she could be aimed at the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m), a mares’ race held at Flemington on September 12.
Up to this point, Tennessee Bound has not competed beyond 1200m, meaning Saturday’s race represents a new challenge for her.
“If she was successful, a race that comes to mind is the Let’s Elope, potentially stepping up to 1400 (metres),” Turnbull stated.
“She’s a speed horse, so we don’t have to stretch her if we don’t want to.
“We would only be thinking of Black Type if she was winning again.
“It’s hard to determine how good she might be because she is still only lightly raced, but she will come back and be better again, I’m sure.
“What she is racing against and her ratings, she is that Listed, Group 3 level now, at the right time, but to say she’s a Group 1 horse is a bit audacious given her trajectory has been monitored.”
In all her victories so far, Tennessee Bound has been in the top three placings, including leading throughout her past two starts.
“If there is genuine pace in the race (on Saturday), we would love to be third, fourth, fifth, in that sweet spot,” Turnbull remarked.
“She is unbeaten, she seems to raise the bar every time it is asked and hopefully, she can do it again on Saturday.”
If Tennessee Bound successfully extends her unbeaten streak in the Dr Sheahan Plate, the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes is a potential target; consider these betting sites with sign up bonus in Australia.
