Tennessee Bound, an undefeated mare, would likely be considered a strong favourite for the Caulfield race she is entered for. However, trainer Ciaron Maher is adopting a cautious strategy, preferring to gradually step up her competition.
As a result, the four-year-old is most likely to be seen next in Wednesday’s 1200-metre Evergreen Turf Handicap at Sandown.
The 78-rated mare is nominated for Saturday’s $150,000 benchmark 78 race over 1100m at Caulfield. However, she will compete in Wednesday’s $50,000 BM74 event carrying 59kg, with the advantage of Jabez Johnstone’s 3kg claim, a factor that Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull found too good to pass up.
“We won’t try to jump too many bars in a row with her, we’ll just go up in slight increments,” Turnbull said.
“She’s done nothing wrong since the last win. She’s an exciting prospect, she had a nice gallop away last week with Blake Shinn on, and he was very fond of her.
“She looks like she’s improved. We could have gone to Saturday, but the programming allowed us to hopefully notch another win before going to an 84.”
Tennessee Bound, a daughter of Written Tycoon and carrying the distinctive Limerick Lane colours of Gerry Ryan, is aiming to extend her winning streak to five races at the start of her career.
She progressed from a maiden win at Kyneton to a Caulfield Heath BM66 in her first preparation, also winning a BM62 race at Cranbourne, before her first-up victory in benchmark 70 grade on Caulfield’s Heath track.
Tennessee Bound has drawn barrier three for Wednesday’s 14-horse race, for which she was the $1.85 favourite on Tuesday morning.
Another daughter of Written Tycoon that the Maher stable is likely to select an easier option for is Signature Scent, who is poised to make her first start since Anzac Day at Caulfield.
The three-year-old filly is entered for the $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m), but is more likely to be seen in the $150,000 fillies handicap over 1100m.
Following three starts in Adelaide, Signature Scent was freshened. In Adelaide, she won at restricted level, achieved a Listed third placing in the Redelva Stakes (1100m), and finished fifth in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m).
“The addition of blinkers was a huge help in Adelaide, got her back to being competitive at Stakes level,” Turnbull said.
“She only had two weeks off, so she’s got a lot of residual (fitness), been in training not so long and she’s just had that one jumpout last week, so she’s in good order.”
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