It's always a thrill when a new talent emerges on the racing scene, and the recent juvenile event at Hawkesbury certainly delivered. Personally, I find these early-season races to be incredibly telling, offering a glimpse into the future stars of the sport. The flashy chestnut colt, Extremely Tempted, a son of Extreme Choice, snagged the win, and what a win it was. Trained by the formidable duo of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, this colt wasn't just a lucky contender; he'd already shown his mettle in the trials, hinting at the sharp nature Adrian Bott himself described him as.
What makes this victory particularly interesting is the narrative Bott shared about the race. He spoke of Extremely Tempted's professionalism and his ability to take control early, a trait that, in my opinion, often separates the good horses from the truly great ones. When a young horse can dictate terms and still have enough in the tank to fend off challengers, it speaks volumes about their innate ability and mental fortitude. Bott also touched upon the depth of these midweek races, suggesting that the horses behind Extremely Tempted could well emerge to confirm the strength of his form. This is a crucial point; the quality of the competition often defines the significance of a win, and if these rivals step up, Extremely Tempted's debut becomes even more impressive.
Regan Bayliss, the jockey, echoed this sentiment, expressing his admiration for the colt. His comment that Extremely Tempted will be "even better in the spring" and possesses "quite a lot of potential" is something I find very telling. It suggests that this is not a horse that has peaked early, but rather one with a significant upside. The fact that both his trials were "terrific" and he "just keeps getting better and better" paints a picture of a well-managed and developing athlete. From my perspective, this kind of consistent improvement is exactly what owners and trainers look for in a promising young thoroughbred. Bayliss’s confidence that this race will "end up being not a bad form race" is a strong endorsement, and I'll certainly be keeping an eye on the horses that finished behind him.
The pedigree of Extremely Tempted is another layer of fascination. A $550,000 Magic Millions purchase, he hails from a family that's already making waves, notably through the Golden Slipper winner Guest House. This lineage, tracing back to Group III winner Tempt Me Not and the dual Group I winner Tempest Morn, is a powerful indicator of potential. What many people don't realize is how much weight these established bloodlines carry in the racing world; they represent a proven track record of producing top-class performers. This connection to such a successful family undoubtedly adds to the excitement surrounding Extremely Tempted's future.
It's also worth noting that the sire, Extreme Choice, had a successful day, with another of his progeny, Lauberhorn, also making a winning debut. This kind of sire-specific success is a strong signal to breeders and buyers alike about the stallion's current potency. If you take a step back and think about it, a sire having multiple promising juveniles win on the same day is a testament to his influence and the quality of the mares he's being bred to. This certainly bodes well for the future progeny of Extreme Choice.
Ultimately, Extremely Tempted's debut is more than just a single win; it's a statement of intent. He's a horse that has arrived with significant breeding, impressive trial form, and a winning debut that has already generated considerable buzz. What this really suggests is that we might be looking at a serious contender for the major races down the line. The journey from a promising juvenile to a group-level champion is a long and often unpredictable one, but based on this initial showing, Extremely Tempted has certainly put himself on the map. I'm eager to see how he progresses through the season and whether he can indeed live up to the high expectations that have already been set.
