Everest winner Tempted set for Champions Sprint challenge
Ciaron Maher feels that with everything falling into place for Tempted's victory in The Everest, he is hesitant to claim that his top sprinter can elevate her performance even further.
Although she will not face competition from horses like Ka Ying Rising, the task ahead is still considerable.
This will mark the four-year-old's return to Melbourne racing since February 2025, when she competed as a juvenile, securing seventh place in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Flemington's straight 1200 metres in the Group 1 Champions Sprint is her next target, and Maher sees no obstacles preventing another impressive showing.
"She travelled down really well from Sydney," Maher stated.
"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."
On October 27, Tempted acquainted herself with the Flemington course proper, experiencing the track for the first time.
"She had a look down the straight, and she did have a look," Maher emphasised, observing the mare taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.
Reflecting on her last start win, Maher noted that while the situation was quite different, he perceives a comparable scenario unfolding this time.
"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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