Hawkes: Tempted will be "the next Chautauqua"

It is high-quality company to be compared to the excitement machine that was ‘The Grey Flash’, but to come from Chautauqua’s former trainer, that speaks volumes.

The champion sprinter won six Group 1s including a three-peat in the TJ Smith Stakes (2015-17) and one abroad in the Chairman Sprint Prize in Hong Kong (2016).

Tempted’s resume, whilst only boasting the one Group 1 win (Surround Stakes, 2026), she has saluted in seven other Group races.

Notable runs in the TAB Everest (2nd), Golden Rose (3rd) and Golden Slipper (3rd) all in 2025, she is already a proven commodity in racing.

Wayne Hawkes, via SEN Track and RSN’s Giddy Up, drew significant comparisons between Tempted and his former champion sprinter.

“She’s the next Chautauqua, to sit back and do what she did, and to go past those horses, she flogged them,” he said.

“She is a superior horse, she nearly won a Blue Diamond, she nearly won a Golden Slipper, she was dominant at three, they have looked after her.

“They have done all the right things with her; she is a star.

“To watch that horse win (last) Saturday, it absolutely just reminded me of Chautauqua.

“Because that is what he used to do week in and week out, and that’s what she is starting to do."

Hawkes went as far as to suggest that Tempted is not given enough credit as the one that could give Ka Ying Rising significant competition in the Everest.

“We need to be wrapping her up even more,” he said.

“She is obviously the only one that can take on the superstar from Hong Kong.

“She is so dominant when she sits back off them.

“I’d love these two to be going head-to-head with 200m to go.”

John O’Neill echoed this high praise for the Maher-trained star.

“She might be the second-best horse in the world,” he said.

“You just don’t run sectionals like that, and to be honest, it was just so arrogant on Saturday.

“Got back, tried to find a spot, couldn’t do it, and just kept dragging it back.

“You must be so confident to be doing that.

“She might be the second-best horse in the world."

Gareth Hall corrected him; labelling Tempted the second best ‘sprinter’ in the world.

“No, I am saying horse, I am saying she is elite.” O’Neill responded.

Tempted is currently quoted at $5 with Sportsbet to dethrone the champion Hong Kong sprinter who is looking for a 22nd consecutive win.

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