Tempted thriving as Arrowfield Sprint looms large

Owners of Tempted are sending a clear message to her Randwick opponents, with assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord stating she is "the best she has been all preparation".

The prominent filly lines up in Saturday's $1 million Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) after securing her first Group 1 in the Surround Stakes (1400m) most recently.

She had to battle tenaciously for that success, but reverts to her preferred trip at Randwick, where Gerard-Dubord, overseer of head trainer Ciaron Maher's Sydney stable, has been astounded by the three-year-old's development.

"The plan this preparation was to win a Group One, and the Surround was our target," Gerard-Dubord said.

"She did that, and then we had two options, the T J (Smith Stakes) or the Arrowfield.

"The Godolphin team was keen to split their horses up (Tentyris and Tempted) and the Arrowfield is a nice target back against three-year-olds.

"She has beaten most of them in the past and back to 1200 fresh, it's the best she has been all preparation."

Boasting six triumphs in 11 starts, Tempted is perfect in two efforts this preparation, and as the $1.70 market elect, victory in the Arrowfield appears likely.

The only worry for Gerard-Dubord is gate eight in a field of 10, but he trusts the filly's ability and jockey Chad Schofield's tactics to overcome it.

"She has drawn a touch tricky so Chad will have to work it out early and find a spot, but she has such a good turn of foot and she's such a good filly, hopefully she is just too good for them," he said.

Recent Arrowfield victors have gone on to shine, including future Everest winner Classique Legend (2019), high-class galloper Wild Ruler (2021), and elite filly Joliestar two seasons ago. Check the Australian betting sites for the best odds on the Arrowfield Sprint.