Star filly Tempted has teed up a possible The Everest repeat battle with Hong Kong sensation Ka Ying Rising courtesy of a breathtaking success in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint at Randwick, where she lowered the class record.
The three-year-old stopped the clock at 1:08.00 over 1200m on Saturday, improving on Cosmic Force’s 1:08.14 from 2019 and trailing Yes Yes Yes’s track record by merely half a second.
Since Godolphin switched to a public trainer arrangement this season, Ciaron Maher has taken charge of Tempted from James Cummings, and he highlighted her relentless progress.
“It was pretty thrilling to watch. She’s just got a brilliant turn of foot, doesn’t she?” Maher said.
“She came into our stable in super order, and she just keeps going to another level each time she runs as she furnishes and develops.
“Her run in the Everest (1200m) last year was huge, her prep to break (through for) a Group One. I’m just so thrilled to be able to train for Godolphin, and thrilled for my team.”
Tempted was runner-up to Ka Ying Rising in The Everest (1200m) last spring, and Maher is open to testing her against the sprint king again.
Her next moves hinge on talks with Godolphin’s Andy Makiv and Jason Walsh, yet Maher suggested aiming for the Everest provides a solid framework.
“Most likely. She hasn’t had a taxing prep this time around, but I’ll sit down with Andy and Jason and the Godolphin team and they’re good discussions to have,” he said.
“She is going to be competitive in whatever you want to race her in.
“She keeps getting better each prep. Her manners keep improving each time she goes to the races. She’s going to be a lot of fun.”
As the $1.60 favourite, Tempted exploded past leader Devil Night ($14) at the 200m, prevailing by 1-1/4 lengths over Grafterburners ($8), who was three-quarters adrift.
Maher labelled Chad Schofield’s steer a “cool, calm, collected ride”, while the jockey noted Tempted’s versatility made it straightforward.
“She can be wherever you want her to be,” Schofield said.
“She can be forward, back, relax and then access that turn of foot. It’s really breathtaking and feels amazing to be on top of, and good to get the job done.”
Classique Legend secured the Arrowfield in 2019 and followed up with The Everest victory the next spring.
Visit betting sites for the latest racing betting markets on The Everest.