Tempted crushed the Group 2 Precise Air Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, streaking clear as the $1.60 favourite to beat Savvy Hallie by three lengths and all but lock in Godolphin’s slot for The Everest on October 17, where she will again chase Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising.
According to Just Horse Racing, Chad Schofield allowed Tempted to find her feet before she rocketed down the outside when given rein, defeating Savvy Hallie ($17) by three lengths with Marhoona ($18) a nose away third in an all-mares trifecta. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old has been unbeaten since finishing runner-up to Ka Ying Rising in last year’s Everest.
Godolphin expect Tempted in The Everest
Just Horse Racing reported the Premiere win all but secures Godolphin’s Everest slot, though an official confirmation has not yet been lodged. Godolphin racing and bloodstock manager Jason Walsh said the expectation is that Tempted will carry the blue again on October 17 if she comes through Saturday’s effort in good order.
“That will be our expectation. She’ll carry our colours as she did last year, and she carried them so well,” Walsh said, according to Just Horse Racing.
“It’s pretty clear she’s in even better form, so we look forward to contesting the title again.”
Gerard-Dubord: her best win
Jo Gerard-Dubord, Maher’s Sydney foreman, rated the Premiere as Tempted’s greatest performance and said the campaign is timed to peak on Everest day.
“It probably is her best win, the way she put them away,” Gerard-Dubord said. “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.”
Gerard-Dubord said Tempted still has improvement to come and is not afraid of another clash with the Hong Kong champion.
“Every horse is beatable on the day,” he said. “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 keen for Ka Ying Rising rematch
Schofield, who has built a strong partnership with Tempted, echoed the Everest focus.
“She has an amazing trait where she grabs the bit around the bend, locks on and is ready to explode,” Schofield said. “You let her go and off she goes. I can’t wait to aim her at Ka Ying Rising.”
SENTrack panel commentary after the race labelled Tempted among Australia’s best three horses. For the Randwick Epsom Day card, TSB’s Randwick tips and free Racing Form Guide covered the program, while Flemington’s Group 1 feature is wrapped in Cosmic Crusader’s Turnbull Stakes win.
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