Maher warns Everest winner Tempted doesn’t need to improve to win again

It all worked out so well for Tempted in The Everest that Ciaron Maher is content to stop short of say that his star sprinter can be even better again.

She won’t be facing the likes of Ka Ying Rising but the challenge is still here.

The four-year-old will be racing in Melbourne for the first time since February 2025 when, as a juvenile, she finished seventh in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Flemington is her assignment next up down the straight in the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) and Maher sees no reason why another bold showing would not be in the offing.

“She travelled down really well from Sydney,” Maher said.

“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.”

Tempted galloped on the course proper at Flemington on October 27 for a first look at Melbourne’s premier venue.

“She had a look down the straight, and she did have a look,” Maher emphasised as the mare took in the new surroundings.

Maher looked back on her last start triumph, albeit in a very different situation, but sees a similar situation her 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.”