The Ciaron Maher stable is exploring several options for the three-year-old filly Signature Scent, aiming to add to her win tally with appearances in two Stakes races.
Signature Scent is nominated for the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) and a Three-Year-Old Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield, as well as the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville. All three engagements are scheduled for Saturday.
Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, indicated that the race restricted to her own age group at Caulfield presented the most attractive prospect.
In that Caulfield event, Signature Scent is assigned 59.5kg. However, if the stable utilises the 3kg claim from Jabez Johnstone, who guided the filly to victory over 1100m 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 compete against horses of all ages, carrying 56kg. At Morphettville, the Lightning Stakes is a set-weights event for two and three-year-olds, where she would carry 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 stated.
He added, “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 a prior history at Morphettville, having secured a win over 1050m on March 28, followed by a third in the Listed Redelva Stakes (1100m) and a fifth in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m).
While the final decision on Signature Scent’s race remains to be made, the Maher team will also have Recommendation competing in the Bletchingly Stakes.
This marks Recommendation’s third appearance in the Bletchingly Stakes, having won the race in 2024 and then finishing fifth in the subsequent year.
Recommendation is coming off a sixth-place finish in the Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 11. This performance was viewed positively by the Maher stable, despite the sprinter settling further back than anticipated.
“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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