With everything falling perfectly into place for Tempted’s victory in The Everest, Ciaron Maher is hesitant to assert that his star sprinter can improve even further.
While she won’t be facing the calibre of Ka Ying Rising, the challenge ahead is still substantial.
The four-year-old mare’s venture back to Melbourne is her first since February 2025, when she participated as a juvenile and finished seventh in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Her next assignment is at Flemington, contesting the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) down the straight, and Maher anticipates another strong showing.
“She travelled down really well from Sydney,” Maher remarked.
“She worked sharp earlier in the week and she is a horse at the top of her game.
“She’s had a nice gap between runs, the three weeks, and there’s no reason why she should shouldn’t go so well again.”
Tempted took a preliminary look at Flemington’s main track, galloping on the course proper on October 27.
“She had a look down the straight, and she did have a look,” Maher stressed, noting the mare’s observation of her surroundings.
Maher reflected on her recent win, acknowledging the different context but seeing a similar scenario unfolding for this race.
“Barriers can be a hinderance or a positive and we were keen to use her good draw from barrier one,” Maher said.
“She gave a good kick and I was confidence she could run her best race.
“That was her peak and there is no reason I’ve seen that that would be hard to maintain.”
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