Tempted delivered a stunning performance to claim the Premiere Stakes at Randwick, effectively securing her place in the Everest for owner Godolphin and issuing a clear challenge to Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising.
Although an official announcement is pending, Tempted is slated to represent the global racing powerhouse in the October 17 feature race, assuming she recovers well from her Saturday effort.
“That will be our expectation. She’ll carry our colours as she did last year, and she carried them so well,” Godolphin’s racing and bloodstock manager, Jason Walsh, stated. “It’s pretty clear she’s in even better form, so we look forward to contesting the title again.”
Since her runner-up finish to Ka Ying Rising in last year’s Everest (1200m), Tempted has been in superb form. Facing a high-quality field, she made them appear ordinary.
With jockey Chad Schofield allowing her to settle, the heavily backed $1.60 favourite unleashed a powerful run down the outside when urged, surging clear to win by three lengths from Savvy Hallie ($17). Marhoona ($18) finished a further nose back in third, completing an all-mares quinella.
Jo Gerard-Dubord, Sydney foreman for trainer Ciaron Maher, considered the Premiere Stakes victory to be Tempted’s finest achievement to date.
“It probably is her best win, the way she put them away,” Gerard-Dubord commented. “Everything she does, she’s very special. She’ll have to be very special in two weeks, but we’ll be spot-on for that. Ka Ying (Rising), if he’s at his best, he’s very hard to beat. But he’ll have to be at his best.”
Despite the convincing nature of Tempted’s win in the Premiere Stakes (1200m), Gerard-Dubord believes the four-year-old mare still has room for improvement, with her preparation carefully managed to ensure she peaks on Everest day.
With this in mind, he expressed no apprehension about her facing Ka Ying Rising again.
“Every horse is beatable on the day,” Gerard-Dubord affirmed. “She quickens so well, but every time she gets to the front, she waits for them, so if she’s got something to chase for a bit longer, I think there’s a bit more there. It has been her target to have her peaking on Everest day, so in terms of where she’s at, there is a touch more to come.”
Schofield has forged a strong connection with Tempted, and like Gerard-Dubord, he is eager for another chance at the world’s leading sprinter.
“She has an amazing trait where she grabs the bit around the bend, locks on and is ready to explode,” Schofield explained. “You let her go and off she goes. I can’t wait to aim her at Ka Ying Rising.”
The stage is set for an epic rematch in The Everest, with Tempted showing she has the class and form to challenge the best.
For those looking to back Tempted in the big race, exploring the latest Australian betting sites could offer competitive odds.