Bella Nipotina (Image: Racing Photos)
Ciaron Maher remembers Bella Nipotina being in season when he saddled her up ahead of last year's William Reid Stakes and it looks like being a similar situation this weekend.
The mare's heightened behavior and cycle didn't hinder her performance 12 months ago when finishing a flashing second to Imperatriz and Maher is hoping it's the same case on Saturday for the six-year-old, who once again gets to show her liking for the 1200-metre Valley circuit.
"I think it was this time last year I was saddling her up and she was in season and funnily enough she galloped this morning and was in season again," Maher revealed.
"It was interesting last year she was quite hormonal and ended up running one of her best races.
"Some fillies and mares it's probably more of a negative than a positive usually in terms of their racing but some they can actually improve when they are like that.
"Hopefully that's a good sign."
Bella Nipotina is a $7.50 chance with Sportsbet, having drawn barrier three with John Allen in the saddle and is the fancy of Maher's two runners, with I Am Me quoted at $13.
Maher has booked Ben Melham for I Am Me, who also holds an entry for The Galaxy on Saturday.
"I Am Me will be weather-dependent, Sydney is starting to look like it can get a bit damp, so it could be down here because she does like top of the ground," Maher explained.
In Sydney, the Maher stable is expected to have a three-pronged attack in this weekend's George Ryder Stakes, with impressive first-up performer New Energy, three-year-old Tiz Invincible and stable newcomer Cosmic Vega.
Australian Guineas winner Southport Tycoon is set to trial instead of contesting the G1 this weekend, with his aim the Doncaster Handicap.
In other stable news, Maher said exciting filly Estriella will contest the $500,000 Listed Sunlight Classic (1100m) at Flemington next Saturday, following a smart jumpout at Cranbourne on Monday.