Ciaron Maher’s choice to stray from the typical autumn carnival strategy with Tempted has handed Chad Schofield a prime chance on the standout filly.
Champion jockey James McDonald is locked in for the Coolmore-owned colt Wodeton in Saturday’s Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, leaving Schofield to secure the top mount on the Everest placegetter.
Ichihara was the most recent filly to claim victory in the race back in 2013, though just three have challenged the boys since, with most conditioners preferring to stick to fillies-only company in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) seven days later.
Aiming to provide Tempted with a three-week gap between her initial campaign outing and the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m), Maher is charting an unconventional path, which has benefited Schofield nicely.
“It was a bit of good work from my manager who identified the ride might be available and put my name in the ring,” Schofield said.
“I was grateful Godolphin and Ciaron were happy to put me on and hopefully I can repay their faith in me.
“I went and galloped her on Monday morning and was very taken by her. I can’t wait to ride her Saturday.
“She is extremely talented, and I feel like we haven’t seen the best of her yet. Hopefully it’s this preparation and I’m on her back.”
Boasting four triumphs from nine outings, Tempted overcame colts and geldings in her seasonal bow last time in the Run To The Rose (1200m), then ran third in the Golden Rose (1200m) before narrowly missing to elite sprinter Ka Ying Rising in The Everest (1200m).
Although required to spot 1.5kg to rivals such as Golden Rose placegetter Wodeton under set weights plus penalties in the Eskimo Prince Stakes, she holds firm as the $1.70 market elect, a status Schofield believes is justified.
“For sure. She’s got the runs on the board, and we’ve seen her talent,” he said.
“She looks to have come back really well, and she is a deserved favourite.”
Check out the Australian betting sites for the best odds on the Eskimo Prince Stakes. Interestingly, Tempted joins another filly, Peter Snowden’s Memo at $26, in the lineup this year.
The post Schofield Tempted by Princely prize first appeared on Just Horse Racing.