Source :- THE AGE NEWS
On a day the first horse was officially confirmed for the $20 million Everest (1200m), 2025 runner-up Tempted reaffirmed her status as the Australia’s best hope of toppling defending champion Ka Ying Rising with a breathtaking Concorde Stakes win at Randwick.
And trainer Ciaron Maher was looking forward to the challenge with a mare “even better than she was”.
Tempted, a $1.85 favourite in the $1 million Concorde (1000m), raced in the second half of the field before unleashing down the outside before the 300m mark. The four-year-old Godolphin star had the race won before the 100m, although Headwall closed off equally well to finish a long neck away in second.
Clocking a race record 55.6 seconds, Tempted ran the last 600m in 31.82. Matt Smith-trained Headwall, racing for the first time since winning the Concorde last year, came home in 31.77 to also push his Everest claims.
Tempted surely cemented her spot in the October 17 showpiece at Randwick, likely in Godolphin’s slot. Godolphin also has Memsie Stakes winner Beiwacht in contention.
“She’s definitely in the discussion for our slot and perhaps another one, in the event we needed two,” Godolphin racing and bloodstock manager Jason Walsh said.
“There’s still a bit of water still to go under the bridge, but it’s great to see her kick off in that way.”
Maher said Tempted would head to the Premiere Stakes as a final Everest lead-in.
“She’s even better than she was,” Maher said.
“She has furnished a bit and she just keeps improving.”
The world’s best, Ka Ying Rising, is set to resume in the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday before coming to Australia. He was $1.50 (TAB) for the Everest, while Tempted was $9 into $8 on the second line.
“I’ve seen the big Ka Ying [Rising]. He’s getting better as well, so we need to,” Maher said of the clash.
“But thrilled and looking forward to what lies ahead. You’d like to be bridling up on his backside, that’s for sure.”
Earlier in the day, Freedman-trained Ninja was the first horse confirmed for the Everest, taking the slot of part-owner John Camilleri, the breeder of Winx. Ninja trials on Tuesday and runs in the Shorts on September 19 at Randwick. He remained $15 for the Everest.
Freedman, meanwhile, was aiming at the group 1 Epsom Handicap and Golden Eagle with Decorum after the four-year-old returned from a cardiac arrhythmia and being gelded with a dominant first-up victory in a 1200m benchmark 78.
A full brother to Switzerland and St Gotthard, Decorum was last in the Randwick Guineas at his previous start.
Lindermann does it again in Chelmsford
Champion trainer Chris Waller said the group 1 Underwood Stakes could be a next assignment for Lindermann after the seven-year-old bounced back to form to win back-to-back group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) with Nash Rawiller aboard.
Lindermann was seven lengths back in ninth when first up in the Winx Stakes, but, much like last year, he responded with a front-running effort to win the Chelmsford next start, finishing one and half lengths ahead of Ceolwulf on Saturday. Waller-trained Fangirl, a winner of $11 million, was third in what was likely her final race before retiring to the breeding barn. The race was delayed after high winds briefly hit Randwick.
Waller said he will give Lindermann his chances in group 1 races and the Underwood in three weeks was a possible next run.
Hot start puts Payne filly in frame
Veteran Rosehill trainer David Payne’s confidence in the versatility of Bangkok Hottie was repaid when the filly overcame a wide gate to cause an upset in the group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m).
The Too Darn Hot filly, an $8.50 chance, was expected to be back in the field from gate nine of 10 after rattling home to finish second in the Silver Shadow Stakes last start.
Kerrin McEvoy, though, took her forward on Saturday to sit outside leader and favourite Pembrey before she took over inside the 200m and held off Chilly Girl by a half length. Payne was now looking to the 1400m Tea Rose Stakes and group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m), where he said she would be ridden differently again.
“I said we had to be handier today, we gave away too much start last time,” Payne said.
“She’s got the speed. She was very good last start, and she’s got that in her as well if you hold her back, and once she gets further, you will ride her more quietly.”
Pride looks to familiar path for winner
Trainer Joe Pride was eyeing another crack at the Cameron Handicap and Alan Brown Stakes for Headley Grange after he dug deep to nose out Soothsayer first-up in the group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m).
The six-year-old fought back in a stride-for-stride battle with Soothsayer before getting his nose down on the line. Headley Grange won the Cameron at Newcastle and the $1.5 million Alan Brown last year and Pride was looking to those races again.
“He’s a winner, that’s win No.13 now, and he just finds a way to get it done,” Pride said.
Nine-year-old stablemate Private Eye, which had a 10 per cent ownership share sell for $22,500 last week, finished second last. Attica was strong late for third and Pride said his next start would be in the Epsom.
Bjorn Baker-trained So You Are won the day’s other feature, the listed 2400m cup.
Ible grateful for chances with $10k talent
Kembla trainer Joseph Ible was glad to still have Barrengarry after the bargain buy earned another shot at stakes grade with a first-up win at Randwick.
The four-year-old, which Ible bought for $10,000 at the Inglis 2024 Ready2Race Sale, swept past the leaders late for a one and a quarter-length victory first-up in the 1400m Midway Handicap.
Barrengarry won a 1500m Rosehill Midway in March before running fifth in the group 3 Frank Packer Plate. Ible pulled up short of target race the Queensland Derby to allow the immature talent to develop and was now aiming for the group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m) on October 14 at Caulfield.
“I’m just thankful,” Ible said.
“He was subject to some offers from Hong Kong, and I’m glad he’s still here.”
Kosciuszko beckons for Singleton’s most promising
Scone trainer Scott Singleton will plan for a Kosciuszko slot with the most promising horse he’s trained after Lord Remlap overcame a wide barrier and run to remain unbeaten on Saturday.
The four-year-old, back after a spelling following a Highway win in April, made it four from four when finishing a short neck clear in a blanket finish to the 1200m class 3 Highway Handicap.
Lord Remlap was into $8 from $11 for the $2 million Kosciuszko (1200m) on October 17 at Randwick.
“We gave him a break and brought him back at the right time of the year, just with the hunch that he is good enough,” Singleton said.
“I had Melody Again in it last year but the 1200 was just a bit short for her, but this horse, I’ve always felt he’s the most promising horse I’ve had.”
