In-form Schism could back up at Caulfield

Trainer Ciaron Maher is looking to strike again with in-form mare Schism who is in line to race on a seven-day back-up at Caulfield.

Schism has won her past two starts at Flemington, including last Saturday’s Leilani Series Final for mares, and is nominated for Saturday’s 1400m open handicap at Caulfield along with stablemate Here To There.

“We’ll have a look at the race,” Maher said.

“She came through the race well on Saturday and I had a bit of a look further ahead to what we could aim her at in the spring and there’s about six weeks between this Saturday and her next run.

“She seems to be holding her condition really well and when mares hit form they seem to hold it. And she’s obviously a mare in form.

“It’s a nice race for her and we’ll just see how it comes up.”

Schism has had eight starts this preparation since joining Maher’s team after doing her earlier racing for Adelaide trainer Richard Jolly.

Her Leilani Series win was her fourth victory for the campaign and Maher believes having the mare based at Warrnambool instead of his city base at Caulfield has been a key to her form.

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“She’s a mare that doesn’t really like city life and she’s just found her niche,” he said.

“We sent her down to Warrnambool to change it up for her and she’s trained out of a paddock and just loves it.

“The paddock life really suits her and that’s probably why she’s holding her form so well.”

Seven-year-old gelding Here To There was chased down by Nesbo in a benchmark-84 over the course and distance last start and drops from carrying 57.5kg to the 54kg limit, stepping up to open company.

“He’s a tough old horse and loves the 1400 metres at Caulfield,” Maher said.

“He gets a bit of weight relief on Saturday.”

The feature race on Saturday’s card is the weight-for-age Group Three Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) which has attracted 16 nominations.

The Mick Kent-trained Group One-placed sprinter Supido is the $3.20 favourite in one corporate bookmaker’s early all-in market for the Monash Stakes ahead of acceptances on Wednesday.