Tempted enters Surround Stakes with enhanced timing

Trainer Ciaron Maher is optimistic that Tempted will avoid a repeat of her loss as the favourite in a Group 1 event over 1400 metres during her second outing last season.

Three weeks on from overpowering her opposition in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m), the daughter of Street Boss contests this Saturday's $750,000 Surround Stakes at Randwick.

In spring, Tempted notched an explosive triumph in her first-up assignment in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m), two weeks before a third-place effort against colts Beiwacht and Wodeton in the Golden Rose, leaving Maher far more content this time.

"We were two weeks into the Group 1 last prep, up from the 1200 to 1400," Maher said.

"She ran near her peak first-up over 12, so it's hard to run back to your peak in two weeks after a peak run fresh up.

That's why we wanted the extra week and at the 1400, especially in fillies' race, she should be fine."

Currently the $1.50 market leader for the Surround Stakes, Tempted sits in front of Apocalyptic ($4.50) and Ole Dancer ($8), the latter pair both proven Group 1 winners at 1600m.

Despite running second-last behind Ka Ying Rising in The Everest apart from that rival and achieving third in the previous Golden Slipper, the Godolphin filly lacks a top-tier win, which her trainer anticipates she will soon achieve.

"She is an emerging horse that just seems to get better, or will get better," Maher said of the filly who has had 10 starts for five, two seconds and two thirds.

"I don't think anyone's too concerned there, but it would be nice if it happens this prep."

Beyond the Surround Stakes, Maher has held off naming Tempted's next target, basing it on her effort to decide between the William Reid Stakes in Melbourne on March 21 or a freshen-up for the T J Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 4.

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