The training operation of Ciaron Maher has a knack for getting the best out of mares as they mature.
Consider Bella Nipotina and Pride Of Jenni, who maintained their quality as they aged.
Tennessee Bound may not be in the same echelon, but her record includes an achievement those two distinguished mares do not possess.
In six starts, Tennessee Bound remains undefeated, a streak she aims to extend in the Dr Sheahan Plate (1300m) at Sandown this Saturday.
Immature knees led to a delayed career debut for Tennessee Bound in October last year, and the Maher team has managed her with great care.
Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, commented on the stable’s judicious placement of the mare.
“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 indicated that the team is uncertain about Tennessee Bound’s ultimate potential.
Should Tennessee Bound maintain her winning momentum on Saturday, she might be targeted towards the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m), a mares’ race scheduled for Flemington on September 12.
Up to this point, Tennessee Bound has not competed beyond 1200m, making Saturday’s race an uncharted territory.
“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.”
Throughout all her victories so far, Tennessee Bound has consistently been among the top three, including leading from start to finish in her last two outings.
“If there is genuine pace in the race (on Saturday), we would love to be third, fourth, fifth, in that sweet spot,” Turnbull explained.
“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 continues her winning streak in the Dr Sheahan Plate, she could be aimed at the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes. For the latest racing odds, check out these Australian betting sites.
