Multiple race engagements for Signature Scent from Maher stable

The Ciaron Maher racing stable has presented three-year-old filly Signature Scent with a trio of potential races to add to her career record, including two Stakes events.

Signature Scent holds nominations for the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) and a Three-Year-Old Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield, alongside the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville. All three contests are slated for Saturday's racing.

Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, highlighted the race against her own age group at Caulfield as the most attractive option.

Signature Scent is weighted at 59.5kg for the Caulfield handicap. Should the stable opt to employ the 3kg claim of Jabez Johnstone, who rode the filly to her recent 1100m victory on July 11, her impost would be 56.5kg.

In contrast, the Bletchingly Stakes, run under weight-for-age conditions, would see Signature Scent carry 56kg against open-aged competition. At Morphettville, the Lightning Stakes is a set-weights event for two and three-year-olds, where she is allocated 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 advised.

He further commented, "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 previously competed at Morphettville, achieving a win over 1050m on March 28, followed by a third place in the Listed Redelva Stakes (1100m) and a fifth in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m).

While a definitive choice for Signature Scent's next start is yet to be confirmed, the Maher barn will be represented by Recommendation in the Bletchingly Stakes.

This will be Recommendation's third consecutive start in the Bletchingly Stakes, having claimed victory in 2024 before securing a fifth-place finish last year.

Recommendation enters the race following a sixth-place effort in the Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 11. The Maher stable found the run encouraging, despite the sprinter being positioned further back than ideal.

"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."

Considering the Bletchingly Stakes as a key race, explore the available racing odds at your preferred online bookmakers.