Rain in Victoria may be a blessing for many, but it’s far from ideal for the Ciaron Maher-trained Running By, who is hoping for firmer footing heading into Saturday’s MRC Chairman’s Club Handicap (1440m) at Caulfield.

Set for her third run this campaign, Running By has drawn barrier 15 with John Allen aboard, though connections are still weighing whether to instead wait for the Leilani Series Final (1400m) at Flemington next week.

Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Maher, said the mare is best suited to firmer surfaces and has form to support that claim. She was second in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) on good going in February and scored wins at Caulfield and in the Inglis Bracelet (1600m) at Flemington during last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival, all on firm ground.

“It’s a hard one as she’s a fast ground horse,” Turnbull said. “Last start the ground wasn’t to her liking, Jaylah [Kennedy] didn’t think. It was a bit shifty, but she is progressing very well from first-up to second-up.”

Running By did resume well over 1200m on soft going and was a solid third on good ground at Sandown on June 14 behind the in-form Hughes. That performance confirmed she’s building nicely into this preparation.

“Her first-up run was good and rated well compared to previous fresh runs, so there’s every indication she’s come back in good order,” Turnbull added. “We’ll make a decision based on the track and how things unfold, but she’s got a solid program mapped out.”