Golden Slipper placegetter Tempted will bid to become just the second filly to upset the males in the Run To The Rose as she looks to make an immediate impact for new trainer Ciaron Maher.
In Secret (2022) is the only filly to win the race in its 22-year history and Tempted will have to topple 11 colts and one gelding if she is to join the honour roll.
In what is shaping as an outstanding renewal, the Run To The Rose (1200m) will be contested by five of the first seven horses across the line in the Golden Slipper with the exception of winner Marhoona and fifth placegetter Devil Night, and Maher anticipates his new recruit being there at the business end on Saturday.
“She’s already got a pretty impressive record and the signs are very good from what I’ve seen,” Maher said.
“She spent most of her time out on the farm for Godolphin and she seems to be thriving down at Bong Bong.”
Tempted raced six times as a juvenile for three wins and was the only horse to defeat Marhoona when she claimed her scalp in the Resiling Stakes (1200m).
Part of the Godolphin string, she will also be out to add to the global powerhouse’s incredible Run To The Rose record with the Royal Blue silks having been carried to victory in five of the past six runnings.
Maher was handed the filly as part of Godolphin’s switch to a public training model and while he has a plethora of outstanding horses in his care, he admits he’s excited to see what heights Tempted can reach.
The filly impressed in a recent barrier trial and has been mentioned as a possible candidate for Godolphin’s Everest slot.
“She has got a lot of options,” Maher said.
“She could go south. She could stay here. You could raise the bar.
“Everything is on the table for her.”
She shares the second line of Run To The Rose betting with Wodeton at $5, behind only San Domenico Stakes winner and $3.10 favourite Raging Force.
