Ciaron Maher’s mare Running By could bypass Saturday’s MRC Chairman’s Club Handicap (1440m) at Caulfield if the track comes up too wet, with connections considering a run in the Leilani Series Final (1400m) at Flemington next weekend instead.

Drawn awkwardly in barrier 15 and with weather likely to affect the track condition, stable representative Jack Turnbull said her form clearly shows she prefers firm going.

Running By produced a career-best result earlier this year when second in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield on good ground and won the Inglis Bracelet on a good surface during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Her one notable failure came in the Let’s Elope Stakes on a heavy track last spring.

“She’s a fast ground horse,” Turnbull said. “Jaylah [Kennedy] thought the track was shifty last start, but the mare’s improving and her form shows there’s more to come.”

Running By’s latest run saw her place behind Hughes at Sandown, a credible effort that suggested she’s tracking well this prep.

“She’s in a nice rhythm and has races mapped out in the coming weeks,” Turnbull said. “We’ll just need to decide if it’s worth pressing ahead at Caulfield or keeping her for Flemington.”