Racing over 1000 metres is not a completely new distance for Tempted, but the star mare will be tackling it for the first time in a while this upcoming weekend.
The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old is set to resume her campaign in the $1 million Group 2 Concorde Stakes at Randwick, which will represent only her second start over the 1000-metre trip.
Her sole previous outing at this distance was a winning debut in a two-year-old fillies maiden at Warwick Farm. Prior to that, her only other race shorter than 1200m was a narrow second place to The Playwright in the 1100m Group 3 Widden Stakes at her second career start.
Eight of her ten subsequent starts have been at 1200m, a distance considered her preferred trip. However, her two trials this preparation, held over 900m and 822m, have led Maher to believe she will possess sufficient sharpness to win this Saturday.
“She’s a sharp filly, very sharp,” Maher stated.
“It certainly wouldn’t surprise me (if she won), without knowing what’s there but, knowing her, she’s pretty sharp.”
Tempted was one of 20 entries for the Concorde Stakes, with defending champion Headwall, Beadman, Marhoona, and Mazu leading the list of possible rivals.
The Concorde Stakes is the initial step on a path towards the 1200m The Everest for Tempted, who finished second to Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising in last year’s $20 million event, beating all other competitors.
The daughter of Street Boss has been undefeated since that race, winning the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) and the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes and Arrowfield Stakes, both at 1200m. Maher is keen for her to confirm her status as Godolphin’s leading contender for The Everest.
“I suppose there’s a little bit to take place, we haven’t even run the Concorde yet, so there’s a bit to play out in the three-year-olds as some of them could step out,” Maher commented.
“But she’s very good. I’m rapt with her. Her prep so far has gone smoothly and if she lines up in the sort of form she’s in, I’m sure she’ll run very well.”
Maher indicated that Tempted is likely to target the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 3, following this Saturday’s race, with The Everest to be run a fortnight later. With Tempted resuming over a shorter distance, the online bookmakers are anticipating a strong performance.