The Ciaron Maher-trained Tempted is the undisputed headline act for Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m), with the high-class daughter of Street Boss looking to maintain her perfect start to the autumn.
Tempted is the filly to beat in the 2026 Surround Stakes field on Saturday. Photo: Bradley Photos.
While only a select field of eight three-year-old fillies will face the starter at Randwick, the quality remains elite.
However, the market at Ladbrokes tells a one-sided story, with Tempted heavily supported into $1.65 following her dominant return to racing.
Tempted’s reputation was forged in the spring when she produced an incredible second-place finish behind the world’s top-ranked sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, in the $20 million The Everest.
She backed up that star power two weeks ago, easily defeating the colts and geldings in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes.
The effortless nature of that first-up win suggests she is in for a dominant campaign.
While she is yet to salute beyond 1200m, her close third in the Golden Rose last spring proves the 1400m journey is well within her reach, especially given her imposing Randwick record of three wins and a second from just four starts at the track.
Punter’s Note: Favorites have a formidable recent record in this race, highlighted by Lady Shenandoah’s clinical win at $1.30 last year.
The primary threat to the favorite is the Michael Freedman-trained Apocalyptic, currently quoted at $4.00.
The daughter of Extreme Choice has been a model of consistency, never finishing outside the top two in her six career starts.
Apocalyptic was the breakout star of the spring in Sydney, sweeping the Princess Series with victories in the Furious, Tea Rose, and the Group 1 Flight Stakes.
Her only defeat last preparation came in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield, where she was narrowly beaten by a quarter-length.
She arrives here second-up following a gritty second to Savvy Hallie in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) on February 14.
While she lacked the knockout punch that day, her work through the line suggests she is ready to peak over the 1400m.
For those hunting value, two other Group 1-caliber fillies are currently available at $10.00.
Ole Dancer, the reigning Thousand Guineas champion for Moody & Coleman, makes her Sydney debut with Zac Lloyd booked to ride.
She was slightly underwhelming when second in the Listed Desirable Stakes at Flemington first-up, but her class is undeniable.
Meanwhile, the Brad Widdup-trained Savvy Hallie enters the fray full of confidence after accounting for Apocalyptic in the Light Fingers.
She now attempts to replicate Lady Shenandoah’s 2025 feat by completing the Light Fingers–Surround double.
The 2026 Surround Stakes is set to jump as Race 7 at 4:00 pm (AEDT) on a bumper 10-race program at Royal Randwick.
2026 Surround Stakes Field & Barriers
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Barrier | Weight | Age | Sex | Last Starts | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tempted | Chad Schofield | Ciaron Maher | 2 | 56kg | 3 | F | 132×1 | $4,715,150 |
| 2 | Apocalyptic | Tommy Berry | Michael Freedman | 4 | 56kg | 3 | F | 112×2 | $1,134,200 |
| 3 | Ole Dancer | Zac Lloyd | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 5 | 56kg | 3 | F | 521×2 | $1,185,600 |
| 4 | Savvy Hallie | Nash Rawiller | Brad Widdup | 6 | 56kg | 3 | F | 13×41 | $833,450 |
| 5 | Karinska | Sam Clipperton | Chris Waller | 1 | 56kg | 3 | F | 530×5 | $130,700 |
| 6 | Sunrays | Jason Collett | Kelly Schweida | 3 | 56kg | 3 | F | x2x64 | $394,950 |
| 7 | Panova | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 8 | 56kg | 3 | F | 4211x | $467,445 |
| 8 | Queen Of Clubs | Craig Williams | Gary Portelli | 7 | 56kg | 3 | F | 486×6 | $166,700 |
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