Team behind Tempted has delivered a strong signal to competitors at Randwick, as assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord describes her as “the best she has been all preparation”.
The talented filly is set to appear in Saturday’s $1 million Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) following her initial Group 1 success in the Surround Stakes (1400m) at her previous outing.
Although she needed to fight hard for that victory, she now heads back to her favoured distance at Randwick, and Gerard-Dubord, who leads head trainer Ciaron Maher’s Sydney team, is impressed by the progress shown by the three-year-old.
“The plan this preparation was to win a Group One, and the Surround was our target,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“She did that, and then we had two options, the T J (Smith Stakes) or the Arrowfield.
“The Godolphin team was keen to split their horses up (Tentyris and Tempted) and the Arrowfield is a nice target back against three-year-olds.
“She has beaten most of them in the past and back to 1200 fresh, it’s the best she has been all preparation.”
With six victories from 11 outings, Tempted remains undefeated in her two appearances this campaign, and at $1.70 in betting, the Arrowfield seems hers to claim.
Gerard-Dubord’s sole concern involves the challenging barrier eight from 10, yet he relies on Tempted’s quality and the skill of rider Chad Schofield to navigate it.
“She has drawn a touch tricky so Chad will have to work it out early and find a spot, but she has such a good turn of foot and she’s such a good filly, hopefully she is just too good for them,” he said.
The Arrowfield has established itself as a reliable guide to future stars in recent years, with past winners including later Everest champion Classique Legend (2019), elite performer Wild Ruler (2021), and standout mare Joliestar from two years back. Punters can explore the racing betting markets for the Arrowfield Sprint at leading online bookmakers.