Ciaron Maher’s decision to deviate from the usual autumn carnival playbook with Tempted has gifted Chad Schofield a golden opportunity aboard the star filly.
With champion hoop James Mcdonald committed to Coolmore-owned colt Wodeton in Saturday’s Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, Schofield has picked up the plum ride on the Everest runner-up.
The last filly to win the race was Ichihara in 2013, although only three have taken on the males since then, the majority of trainers opting to keep them to their own sex in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) a week later.
Wanting to give Tempted three weeks between her first-up run and the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m), Maher is taking the road less travelled and that decision has worked out in Schofield’s favour.
“It was a bit of good work from my manager who identified the ride might be available and put my name in the ring,” Schofield said.
“I was grateful Godolphin and Ciaron were happy to put me on and hopefully I can repay their faith in me.
“I went and galloped her on Monday morning and was very taken by her. I can’t wait to ride her Saturday.
“She is extremely talented, and I feel like we haven’t seen the best of her yet. Hopefully it’s this preparation and I’m on her back.”
The winner of four of her nine starts, Tempted defeated the colts and geldings first-up last preparation in the Run To The Rose (1200m) before placing in the Golden Rose (1200m) then beating all but superstar Ka Ying Rising in The Everest (1200m).
While she will have to concede 1.5kg to the likes of Golden Rose runner-up Wodeton under the set weights plus penalties conditions of the Eskimo Prince Stakes, she remains a solid $1.70 favourite, a market position Schofield says she has earned.
“For sure. She’s got the runs on the board, and we’ve seen her talent,” he said.
“She looks to have come back really well, and she is a deserved favourite.”
Interestingly, Tempted is one of two fillies lining up this year along with the Peter Snowden-trained Memo ($26).
