Classy filly Tempted and star sprinter will run a barrier trial this week as preparation for her Sydney autumn carnival engagement.
Nominations stand for the three-year-old in Monday’s 1000m at Hawkesbury or Tuesday’s 1030m at Rosehill, trainer Ciaron Maher indicating the Rosehill option suits best depending on ground.
Consistent jockey Chad Schofield is retained for both possibilities.
“I’ll see what the tracks are like, but she will probably go to Rosehill,” Maher said.
In last spring’s The Everest (1200m), she chased home winner Ka Ying Rising into second, then saluted at Group 1 level for the first time with a bold success in the Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick February 28.
Kept ticking over without racing since, she looked bursting with health at Maher’s Bong Bong property on a recent visit.
“I was down at Bong Bong during the week. I pulled her out of the paddock, and I thought, she’s going to jump out of the paddock, so I swiftly put her back away,” he said.
“She’s in great order.”
The Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) at Randwick April 11 is the leading contender for her return, although the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) a week sooner versus elders can’t be discounted by Maher.
“Maybe an Arrowfield or TJ. I will see what the other horses are doing,” he said.
Arrowfield markets have her at even money, with $8 available about her in TJ Smith ante-post betting.
Giga Kick, the 2022 Everest winner, trials at Rosehill Tuesday too, building on a fine fourth placing behind Generosity in Clayton Douglas’s Challenge Stakes (1000m).
A repeat entry in the TJ Smith Stakes beckons after his runner-up effort to I Wish I Win three years prior.
View the latest racing betting markets for the TJ Smith Stakes across trusted sites.