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Ciaron Maher smells more success with unbeaten filly Signature Scent after tough win at Caulfield
Ciaron Maher smells more success with unbeaten filly Signature Scent after tough win at Caulfield

The Australian

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • The Australian

Ciaron Maher smells more success with unbeaten filly Signature Scent after tough win at Caulfield

Signature Scent added 'a string to her bow' on Saturday with victory at Caulfield. The smart Ciaron Maher-trained filly, who led and dictated on debut at Bendigo, displayed a sharp turn of foot to reel in plucky leader Thanks Gorgeous in the 1100m 2YO Open Handicap. The Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) next month at Caulfield had been marked as the right race to come but stable representative Leigh Allen said Signature Scent could appreciate a bit more ground. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Signature Scent travelled nicely behind the speed for champion jockey Craig Williams but needed an out in the straight. 'She was caught in the coffin there and had to wait her time,' Allen said. 'Her last 100m was her best … she got into clear running and she knuckled down.' Signature Scent paid $1.75 for favourite backers made nervous as $81 outsider Thanks Gorgeous led until the last 75m. Teine Aulelei closed off nicely to run third from Shystar. 'I'd say we keep her at the same trip,' Allen said. 'We got the Quezette in a month, but we might see what else is around … maybe, something 1200m but at this stage probably the Quezette.' Williams summed up the race perfectly after Signature Scent stepped a shade slower than expected. 'I thought we'll be economical the first three quarters,' Williams said. 'She's adapted to a different running style, shows her diversity about how she could do things and also scope for distance range … most importantly she's a winner, a very talented filly.' Williams said Signature Scent had the attributes to become a spring player. 'Her physique, her mannerisms, she covers the ground really well, feels very robust, and today you saw a bit more of an option,' Williams said. 'If she leads she can break them in my opinion and today she was very relaxed off the speed. 'It gives them potential options going out longer, if they choose to.' Williams completed a running double for Maher to start the card with victory aboard Scampi. Gilbert Gardiner Sports reporter Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun. @gilbertgardiner Gilbert Gardiner

2025 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield: Recommendation returns
2025 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield: Recommendation returns

The Australian

time7 days ago

  • Sport
  • The Australian

2025 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield: Recommendation returns

Recommendation has undergone barrier re-education to help the out-of-sorts sprinter start sharper and regain form. Trained by Ciaron Maher, Recommendation burst onto the Melbourne winter circuit last year with a seven-length Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) demolition. He turned a blistering first-up performance into a Group 3 sprint hat-trick at Caulfield with subsequent wins in the Bletchingly Stakes and Heath Stakes. Recommendation competed solidly in higher grade last spring but then only battled abroad in the Hong Kong Sprint. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The five-year-old gelding returns to Caulfield third-up on Saturday to defend the Sir John Monash title after two lacklustre performances in Listed and Open company. Recommendation has not been as sharp out of the barriers this time in compared to electric starts last year. He missed the start a length at Flemington a fortnight ago and finished last of eight, beaten five lengths. Maher stable representative Leigh Allen said Recommendation had benefited from the barrier refresh. • Gilbert Gardiner's horses to follow, forgive from Flemington on Saturday 'We sent him to Julien Welsh's, had a bit of time there, and then had a piece of work (last Saturday),' Allen said. 'He'll have a little pop out on Tuesday and hopefully we're back on the right leg there. 'It's nothing bad (barrier manners), not that he's a rogue or anything, but he's missed the start and from there (he's on the back foot) as an on speed runner he needs to be thereabouts … as soon as he flops out of the barriers it's game over basically. 'We're hoping for an improved showing (in the Sir John Monash) … he'll then target races similar to last preparation.' • Revealed: Melbourne Cup set for major prizemoney boost Allen said Recommendation had taken a bit of time to get up to speed this year, following the Hong Kong trip last December. 'It probably did take a lot out of him going to Hong Kong because he had a really good prep this time of year … took him a while to get over that so we're trying to get him back in form,' Allen said. The Maher stable saddled a treble at Flemington last Saturday, including the emerging stayer Shockletz. • 'Awesome again': Stern Idol reigns supreme in Thackeray test Allen said Shockletz, a rising four-year-old daughter of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, had the potential to advance to the spring. Shockletz has won three of her past five starts and just missed in a photo finish two back. 'She's only a little slight thing … it's all happened in a very short amount of time so she might not be one you quickly put into a good race,' Allen said. 'I'd imagine she'll have a reset (freshen up for spring).' Gilbert Gardiner Sports reporter Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun. @gilbertgardiner Gilbert Gardiner

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