The Ciaron Maher stable has options for three-year-old filly Signature Scent to add to her tally, including two Stakes races.
Signature Scent holds entries in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) and the Three-Year-Old Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield along with the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
All three races will be run on Saturday.
Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said the race against her own age at Caulfield was the most appealing.
Signature Scent has 59.5kg in that race and if the stable decides to use the 3kg claim of Jabez Johnstone, who partnered the filly in her victory over 1100m on July 11, she will come in with 56.5kg.
However, under the weight-for-age conditions of the Bletchingly Stakes, Signature Scent will take on open age and carry 56kg, while at Morphettville the Lightning Stakes is restricted to two and three-year-olds at set weights, where she will be tasked with 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.
“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 travelled to Morphettville previously, winning over 1050m on March 28 before running third in the Listed Redelva Stakes (1100m) and then fifth in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m).
While a decision on which race Signature Scent heads to is still to be finalised, the Maher team will be represented by Recommendation in the Bletchingly Stakes.
It will be the third time Recommendation has lined up in the Bletchingly 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, a race that pleased the Maher stable although the sprinter got further back than intended.
“There was a lot of pressure early which probably exaggerated where he got to,” Turnbull said.
“We had the winner’s 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.”
