Tempted and Chad Schofield pulled off one of the great Everest upsets at Randwick, holding off Ka Ying Rising by a short margin (0.23L) in the $20 million Group 1 sprint (1200m) to end his 21-race winning streak, with Joliestar third. Here’s what the jockeys said.
It is always important to hear what the jockeys say after the race, as you can forgive a horse’s bad run or even find a winner next start, so head to the post-race comments below.
SAVVY HALLIE (Zac Lloyd) – 12th
She tried her best. Broke really well but didn’t help having Tempted come past us so fast. It took some confidence out of her, but she tried.
BLUE DOOR (Jamie Melham) – 11th
She ran all right. She hasn’t been in a race like that with that much tempo before. She just folded at the 300m being under pressure a long way out.
SPICY MARTINI (Taylor Marshall) – 10th
She began terrific. Wanted to give her a positive ride. We had speed underneath us. I elected to let her travel. She didn’t shake her task. Drying ground wasn’t favorable. We still haven’t seen the best of her.
GIGA KICK (Dylan Gibbons) – 9th
He had a great run. When they steadied up it ruffled his feathers a bit. Took away his last 50m. I thought it was a run back on track for an old warrior.
Read more: Tempted Wins The Everest 2026: Godolphin Mare Topples Ka Ying Rising
ANGEL CAPITAL (Ben Melham) – 8th
I thought he ran terrific. A low draw is not his go. In this grade 1200m was not really his go either. Ran well.
CABALLUS (Tim Clark) – 7th
Thought he acquitted himself very well. Had a nice run throughout. Wasn’t beaten too far.
JIMMYSSTAR (Nash Rawiller) – 6th
He couldn’t muster early. Was a bit slow away. I think he made up four lengths topping the rise. And then it was very hard to make up the next four. Ran creditably without giving away that much start today.
NINJA (Tommy Berry) – 5th
Very proud of him. We rode the speed. Just had Spicy Martini keeping him honest the whole way. Even around the bend he wasn’t able to build into his race like he usually does. He had to do it on a dime. Did a great job. Will be back in 12 months’ time a better horse.
Read more: Kingswood Wins Caulfield Cup 2026 for Gavin Bedggood and John Allen
HEADWALL (Kerrin McEvoy) – 4th
Great run by him. Travelled nicely, peeled off, presented for a really great run by him. Happy for them.
JOLIESTAR (James McDonald) – 3rd
I’ve never been more proud of her. She has run the race of her life. Has never felt better than she did today. So that is just an incredible job by the team.
KA YING RISING (Zac Purton) – 2nd
He ran well. Good effort.
TEMPTED (Chad Schofield) – 1st
First time I’ve really ridden her and asked her from the start. I normally just ride her to relax and trust her to be far too good late.
But it was a different race today. We had the world’s best sprinter, the world’s best horse. I had eyes for him, and I knew he wasn’t up there and I held my spot and kept him deep and I’m pretty sure that made Zac (Purton, Ka Ying Rising’s jockey) have to come back.
From there, I had the perfect trip. I came off from behind the two leaders, and I hit the front very early, a long way out. But she’s such a good horse, she’s so brave and so game.
She’s getting better, that’s all I’ll say. I rode her as a three-year-old and she came back so much stronger. She was amazing first-up, she was even better second-up. I reckon she went to a new level there today. She’s had three runs this prep and got better each time, why won’t she keep improving now as a four-year-old.
View Our Randwick Tips For Saturday Here
View Today’s Late Mail Tips Here
Read Our Tempted Everest Result Story Here
More News
- Tempted Wins The Everest 2026: Godolphin Mare Topples Ka Ying Rising
- Kingswood Wins Caulfield Cup 2026 for Gavin Bedggood and John Allen
- Racing Form Guide
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