The Ciaron Maher stable and champion jockey Craig Williams combined to claim an early double at Caulfield with both winners coming in similar circumstance.
The pair opened Saturday’s card with the $1.75 favourite Signature Scent scoring in the Sportsbet Get On Now Handicap (1100m) before Scampi won the Sportsbet Race Reviews Handicap (1100m) 30 minutes later.
The early double moved Williams to within five winners of Blake Shinn in the Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership battle.
Leigh Allen, representing the Maher stable, said the team holds Stakes race hopes for Signature Scent who was a debut winner at Bendigo last month.
The Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield next month is likely to be the filly’s next target.
Saturday’s race was picked out to give Signature Scent some experience at Caulfield before her first assignment at Stakes level.
“We’ve done a gene test on her and we’re waiting on that to come back, and that might give us a lead as to what other races it may lead to,” Allen said.
“But at this stage I would say we keep her around the same trip.
“There is the Quezette Stakes here in a month, but we’ll have a look to see what else is around for her as a three-year-old, but at this stage it is likely to be the Quezette.”
Allen said the impressive part of Saturday’s win was how Signature Scent was able to take the sit and sprint at the end of the contest.
“It added a string to her bow in not having to lead in the end,” Allen said.
“She was caught in the coffin there and had to bide her time and the last 100 metres was probably her best.”
Allen was delighted with how Williams timed his run on Scampi ($9) to hold off the fast-finishing Salsa Fellow to bring up the race-to-race double.
Scampi was described by Allen as being like ‘fool’s gold’ as he runs well on a Wednesday but can struggle against better opposition at Saturday meetings.
“It was really good to finally see him do it,” Allen said.
“He’s an interesting horse. He doesn’t have a huge sprint and Craig timed that to perfection.”
