Ciaron Maher loads bases in 2025 Quezette Stakes

Craig Williams is set for a well-timed return to racing this Saturday at Caulfield, teaming up once again with promising filly Signature Scent in a Group race assignment.

After narrowly missing out on winning the Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership to Blake Shinn late last month, Williams took the opportunity to travel to Ukraine, reconnecting with his wife’s family and delivering humanitarian supplies.

Now, a little over two weeks later, Williams’ first day back will see him take five rides, with Signature Scent in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) his standout mount. The duo combined for a Caulfield victory on July 12, with this weekend’s race firmly in their sights.

Ciaron Maher’s National Assistant Trainer, Jack Turnbull, says the timing of her lead-up has been ideal.

“She’s a lovely filly that has plenty of size and scope about her,” Turnbull said.

“There’s a nice sense of timing with five weeks between runs after four weeks between her first and second, and she’s going into this with a little top up at the jump-outs.

“She’s drawn nicely, she’s physically very good and all her home work suggests she should be ultra competitive.”

Also lining up for Maher in the Quezette are Icarian Dream and new recruit Custom. Icarian Dream last competed in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January before being scratched from the Blue Diamond Stakes the day before on veterinary grounds.

“We wanted to run in the Blue Diamond, but we weren’t allowed to,” Turnbull said.

“We were happy with her but she didn’t pass the trot up for the vets on the day before the race.

“It was disappointing, but they were just doing their job, but she was able to have six weeks off and has come back and prepped up beautifully.

“She started out at Ballarat, has come down to Cranbourne and has had two nice jump-outs. The last one was quite sharp and she did a nice bit of work on Monday.”

Custom, previously trained by James Cummings for Godolphin, joined Maher’s team after her Kensington maiden win on July 16 and has quickly settled in.

“It’s nice when you get a filly of her calibre,” Turnbull said.

“She won her maiden pretty well at Kensington. In one of her starts she ran close to State Visit, who we really like and is Group performed.

“We gave her a jump-out at Cranbourne to try and emulate getting on the Melbourne leg, but they were down back straight, so we had to lean into the bend there.

“She’s very straight forward, is really nice to deal with, and seemingly push button.”

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