Racing over 1000 metres is not exactly new territory for Tempted, but the star mare will do it for the first time in a while this weekend.
The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old will resume in the $1 million Group 2 Concorde Stakes at Randwick, which will be just her second start over 1000m.
Her only start over that trip realised a debut win in a two-year-old fillies maiden at Warwick Farm, while her only other in a race short of 1200m was her narrow second placing to The Playwright in the 1100m Group 3 Widden Stakes at her second start.
Eight of her 10 subsequent starts have been at 1200m, which is considered her pet trip, but her two trials this time in have been over 900m and 822m and Maher expects her to be sharp enough to win this weekend.
“She’s a sharp filly, very sharp,” Maher said.
“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 headlining the list of possible rivals.
The Concorde Stakes is the first step on a path towards the 1200m The Everest for Tempted, who beat home all bar Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising in last year’s $20 million event.
The daughter of Street Boss has not been beaten since, winning the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) in between victories in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes and Arrowfield Stakes at 1200m, and Maher is keen to see her confirm herself Godolphin’s No 1 seed 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 said.
“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 said Tempted was likely to head to the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 3 after Saturday’s race with The Everest to be run a fortnight later.
