A tricky draw has done nothing to dissuade punters from rallying behind Tempted in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick, and her connections are just as bullish.
The brilliant mare, who hasn’t been beaten since finishing runner-up to champion Ka Ying Rising in The Everest (1200m) last year, has been backed from $1.80 into $1.60 for Saturday’s feature sprint.
The support has come despite her tricky draw in barrier 11, and a deep field of talented rivals that include Everest slot holders Headwall and Ninja, along with the likes of emerging sprinters Golden Straand and Plaintiff.
But while respectful of the opposition and her task, trainer Ciaron Maher’s Sydney foreman, Jo Gerard-Dubord, says Tempted fills the team with such confidence it’s hard not to believe she won’t continue her winning streak.
“It’s not often you go to the races very confident everything should work out well, but she’s one of those horses. That’s how good we think she is,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“She hasn’t missed a beat. Everything we’ve seen of her – what she can do at home, the fact she’s got the ability to relax in a race and be so pushbutton – it gives you a lot of confidence.”
While Tempted is yet to be confirmed for the Everest, she is the top seed for owners and slot holders Godolphin.
They aren’t expected to lock in their pick until after she runs on Saturday, but Godolphin’s Jason Walsh admitted this week the spot was “really hers to lose”.
The four-year-old stamped her class first-up to win the Concorde Stakes (1000m) and has been kept ticking over with a barrier trial.
Gerard-Dubord says her build-up has been faultless, and he can even find advantages to her wide draw.
“We know she’s got a good turn of foot, and a bit of room isn’t the worst thing,” he said.
“You always like to have a softer gate but because of the horse she is, she’s so pushbutton, she can switch off anywhere.
“As long as she can get a bit of cover somewhere, it shouldn’t be an issue. She is very good.”
Tempted is an $8 chance for The Everest (1200m) on October 17, behind only $1.30 favourite Ka Ying Rising, who is due to have a public barrier trial at Randwick on Tuesday.
