Star jockey Craig Williams will get the chance to defend his $20m The Everest crown after he was confirmed to pilot Godolphin filly Tempted in the richest race on turf at Royal Randwick next week.
On Tuesday, Godolphin made the decision to run Tempted with the Ciaron Maher-trained gun filly getting the nod over Golden Rose winning ex-stablemate Beiwacht.
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Lightweight gun Williams has been booked to pilot the multiple Group 2-winning filly with 51kg as he looks to secure a record equalling third The Everest.
Williams first won the race with another three-year-old when Giga Kick prevailed in 2022 before claiming the race for a second time with Bella Nipotina last year.
Tempted is a $17 chance in betting for The Everest with Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising still a $1.50 favourite following his third in a trial at Royal Randwick on Tuesday.
Maher, the former trainer of Bella Nipotina, will saddle up two runners in this year’s race with Group 1 All Aged Stakes winner Jimmysstar also locked into the TAB slot.
He only received Tempted at the beginning of this preparation when Godolphin moved to a public training model.
She was a brilliant winner in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) two starts ago and was placed behind Beiwacht in the Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Godolphin is hunting its first win in The Everest with placegetters via Osborne Bulls (2018), Trekking (2019) and Bivouac (2020).
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Tempted is a daughter of Godolphin’s stallion Street Boss out of their former Group 2 winning mare Calliope.
“Tempted is a top-class filly. She’s in great form and three-year-olds have a strong record in a race like The Everest,” Andy Makiv, managing director of Godolphin Australia said.
“She represents everything we stand for at Godolphin. She’s by one of our shuttle stallions, and was bred, raised, and developed across our farms. To see her line up in The Everest is a proud moment for everyone involved.”
Meanwhile, Yulong now has the only remaining slot open for The Everest after their original runner Private Harry was ruled out of the race and the spring due with injury.
Godolphin has ruled out running two horses in the race with Beiwacht expected to head towards the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington where he is a $3.50 favourite.
Originally published as Godolphin picks Tempted as its The Everest runner with Craig Williams booked to ride