Tennessee aiming for seventh consecutive win

Ciaron Maher's stable possesses a remarkable ability to nurture older mares, bringing out their best performances.

One can point to the examples of Bella Nipotina and Pride Of Jenni, who continued to perform at a high level throughout their careers.

Tennessee Bound, while perhaps not in the same calibre, boasts a notable achievement not found on the records of those two celebrated mares.

Having raced six times, Tennessee Bound has not yet experienced defeat, and she is set to continue this unbeaten run in the Dr Sheahan Plate (1300m) at Sandown on Saturday.

The commencement of Tennessee Bound's racing career was postponed until October last year due to immature knees, and the Maher team has managed her development with exceptional skill.

Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, highlighted the stable's deliberate approach to the mare's race selections.

"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 mentioned that the stable remains uncertain about the full extent of Tennessee Bound's capabilities.

Following a successful performance on Saturday, Tennessee Bound might be considered for the Group 2 Let's Elope Stakes (1400m), a prestigious mares' event at Flemington on September 12.

To date, Tennessee Bound has only raced up to 1200m, meaning Saturday's engagement represents a step into new territory.

"If she was successful, a race that comes to mind is the Let's Elope, potentially stepping up to 1400 (metres)," Turnbull commented.

"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."

In all her victories thus far, Tennessee Bound has maintained a position within the top three, including leading throughout her last two races.

"If there is genuine pace in the race (on Saturday), we would love to be third, fourth, fifth, in that sweet spot," Turnbull observed.

"She is unbeaten, she seems to raise the bar every time it is asked and hopefully, she can do it again on Saturday."

Should Tennessee Bound maintain her undefeated record in the Dr Sheahan Plate, a potential target is the Group 2 Let's Elope Stakes; explore the latest racing betting markets with these online bookmakers.