Tempted Bids to Make History in Golden Rose Stakes
The Ciaron Maher team is set for another high-profile weekend across Sydney and Melbourne, headlined by Godolphin’s rising 3-year-old Tempted, who bids to become the first filly to capture Golden Rose Stakes (G1) glory since Forensics in 2008.
The daughter of Darley’s Street Boss heads into the Sept. 27 Rosehill group 1—that was upgraded to the highest level in 2009—second-up off the back of an ultra-impressive display when winning the Run To The Rose (G2) on resumption.
A dual group 2 winner as a juvenile, it was Tempted’s fourth career victory from seven starts and one which propelled the Golden Slipper (G1) placegetter to the forefront of Australia’s 3-year-old division.
“She was a very good 2-year-old who was probably unlucky not to win the Golden Slipper,” Maher’s assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord told ANZ News.
“Leading into the (Run To The Rose) she was showing all the right signs, her work was very good. Obviously, she ended up in a good spot but quickened very well. She was very dominant; it was good to see her do that knowing some of the others had already had a run.
“We haven’t done much with her in between, it being only two weeks, but she will have naturally improved with that run under her belt. She is a very straight-forward filly in her races—she’s very professional with a great turn-of-foot and she looks like she could be pretty special.”
While there were some hard luck stories in behind, Tempted enjoyed an economical run under Ethan Brown last time out, jumping cleanly from barrier five and setting in a midfield position one off the fence.
On Saturday, she will contend with gate eight in the nine-runner field, and while Gerard-Dubord is conscious of luck playing a factor at Rosehill, he believes the filly has the attributes to overcome the draw.
“It is (a workable draw),” he said. “Rosehill when it’s dry can be all-speed. We will have to see how the track is playing on the day. She will need a bit of luck first time at 1,400 meters, but she is very professional and very adaptable—she won a Percy Sykes last prep from a wide gate. Ethan rode her very well last time and I’m sure he’ll ride her very well again.”
Maher also fields a son of the late Wootton Bassett in the Golden Rose in State Visit, the colt also being second-up after his fifth placing behind his stablemate in the Run To The Rose.
“He’s a horse we’ve always liked and it would be great to see him do well after the passing of his dad this week,” Gerard-Dubord said. “Like a lot of Wootton Bassett’s, he’s got a very good mind on him, he’s a very straight-forward colt.
“His best asset is his turn-of-foot. First-up, in the Run To The Rose they went very quick and he was probably at his top for most of the way. Stepping up to 1,400 meters, which he was group 1-placed (in the ATC Sires’ Produce) over last prep, I think he will travel a lot better and will be able to utilize his turn-of-foot.
“He needs to improve a bit but we always thought he’d be better at three and I’m sure he will run well. It’s been the plan all prep with him: going into the Golden Rose second-up.”
