Signature Scent primed for Carlyon Stakes challenge
A 1000m dash at Stakes level has been on the radar for Signature Scent for some time, according to the Ciaron Maher stable.
Notwithstanding a recent failure to place in a three-year-old event, the stable sees no impediment to her contesting the Group 3 Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Sandown this Saturday.
Having secured four victories from eleven career starts, the stable perceives Saturday's race as the opportune moment to re-evaluate the mare's capabilities at Stakes level.
Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, outlined a number of favourable aspects for the mare's chances on Saturday.
"The trip is a big plus and she likes soft ground," Turnbull said. "And she's had four weeks in between runs this time. We thought she didn't run to her best last start because we ran her back a bit quick. She was physically fine, but she was first-up off a 10-week let-up and went back (to the races) after two weeks which is a hard thing to do. It's a bit of a reprieve, four weeks into this. She's not in great at the weights, but her quality gives her the chance to be competitive."
Signature Scent was originally purchased for $200,000 at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale, before Yulong acquired her for $1 million at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale in 2024.
The mare still faces a significant journey to recoup her acquisition cost, but a win on Saturday would mark a positive commencement.
"Black Type is essential for her," Turnbull declared. "She's got a good page, she is Black Type placed, but if she was to be a winner, it would be immense."
Turnbull suggested it was improbable that Signature Scent would compete again within a fortnight if she performs creditably on Saturday in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Sandown.
"Especially off the two-week turnaround," Turnbull commented. "There is the Wylie Handicap in Adelaide on September 12, so if she was to run well, that could be a race we could look at."
Signature Scent boasts a previous win at Morphettville and achieved a placing in the Listed Redelva Stakes in April.
As the Carlyon Stakes approaches, keen observers are checking online bookmakers for the latest betting markets for the race.
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