Marhoona holds a 1-1 edge over Tempted, but one filly will seize control when they collide anew after last year’s Golden Slipper on Day Two at Randwick’s Championships.
Fresh from Group 1 victories, the duo prepares for battle in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) next Saturday at Randwick, revisiting their juvenile duels won by Tempted in the 2025 Reisling Stakes (1200m) and Marhoona in the Slipper.
Nonetheless, with a spring runner-up spot to phenomenal Ka Ying Rising in The Everest (1200m) and recent Group 1 glory in the Surround Stakes (1400m), Tempted is firmly favourite, Marhoona longer at $11.
Handler Michael Freedman for Marhoona concedes the assignment’s difficulty yet praises his filly’s sharpness.
“We did beat her in the Slipper, and she beat us in the Reisling,” Freedman said of the rivalry with Tempted.
“She is obviously a very, very good filly and she will take a bit of beating here next Saturday.
“I think Marhoona is going as well as she ever has. We’ll see when barriers come out, that can play a part, but she is in good order.
“Zac Lloyd has picked up the ride on her.”
Last out, Marhoona banished Golden Slipper myths by mastering seasoned rivals in The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill.
Freedman hailed the performance as evidence of her toughness and winning mentality, lauding her progress in just eight starts.
“She is such a tough, game filly. She’s not overly big, but she hates getting beaten,” he said.
“It was a big thrill to come out and win a race like that with her after winning the Slipper.
“She won a Listed in the spring as a three-year-old, so it’s great credit to her. She’s only had eight lifetime starts and she has won two Group Ones.”
The yard’s Pallaton is a possible Arrowfield runner, to trial blinkers after racing coltishly when tailed off in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m).
Freedman eyes Profoundly, who took Saturday’s Adrian Knox Stakes, for the ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) if she progresses nicely through the week.
Head to trusted sports betting platforms for the latest betting markets for the race on the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint.
