J-Mac outed as Tempted puts writing on the wall in quest for group 1

Maher assistant Johann Gerard-Dubord said Tempted had come back 15 kilograms heavier this preparation.

“I think 1400 is probably as far as she wants, but she’s a lot stronger this time,” he said.

“She’s matured, so you just never know. All options are open. She’s just so talented, and because she relaxes so well, distance won’t be an issue.”

Fireball punches Slipper ticket

Chris Waller would have been happy to skip the $2 million Inglis Millennium with Fireball on Saturday at Randwick, if he drew poorly.

Now the premier trainer can take all the time he wants with the $460,000 Snitzel colt in the lead-up to the Golden Slipper on March 21 after he effectively punched his ticket into the $5 million race with a stylish win.

Fireball, a $4.60 favourite from gate three, travelled midfield with cover under James McDonald in the 16-horse race before finishing the best to beat Ghana’s Akan by a half-length. McDonald’s win was marred by a 10-day suspension and $20,000 fine for excessive whip use. He used the whip 20 times, with nine coming before the 100m – four more than permitted. He is out from February 15 to 25 and will miss the Rosehill meeting featuring the group 2 Hobartville, Millie Fox and Silver Slipper on the 21st.

McDonald had pleaded guilty but later argued the punishment was harsh given the time of the year, his good recent record with the charge and the races he will miss.

A Saturday winner on debut in the spring, Fireball now has $165,000 in eligible prizemoney to all but qualify for the Slipper.

Waller said Fireball was likely to race next at 1200m, and improve, but he would not contest the Silver Slipper in two weeks.

“He’ll get stronger and he’ll get faster. He’s got the frame, he’s well-bred,” Waller said.

“He hasn’t been wound up to get to today. He wasn’t even going to run unless he drew a nice barrier. I was probably happy to wait and just bide our time.

“The good draw allowed him to just have a bit of confidence, get amongst them and not have to do too much … I think 1200 will suit him better.”

Fireball was $26 into $15 for the Slipper.

Girl power rules in Lonhro Plate

Co-trainer Adrian Bott was not surprised with the tenacity of Agrarian Girl, which put herself into the Golden Slipper frame with a fighting win on debut in the listed Lonhro Plate (1000m) as part of a rare city double for jockey Winona Costin.

The Tassort-Liwa filly, $280,000 yearling which started at $31, led but looked under pressure when Maher-trained Spicy Miss ($3.70) got on level terms with 150m left.

Agrarian Girl, which had won both trials, fought back to win by a half-length. She opened the day at $101 for the Slipper and was into $34.

Bott said he was not surprised by the effort.

“The winner of the Canonbury [Hidrix] came in behind her the other day [in a trial], she was very good in both of her trials,” Bott said.

“She’s a tough nut. That’s what she looked like in her trials, she always looked a bit under pressure doing it … but she responded all the time.”

He said she would race next in the Silver Slipper, or maybe trial into the Reisling Stakes, on the road to the Slipper.

“She’s certainly got to be in contention with that tenacity she showed today. I’m sure there’s some nice improvement to come,” he said.

Costin had just three rides on the day and earlier won on Craig Carmody-trained Zenmaster in the Midway Handicap.

Waller-trained Campione D’Italia ($5.50) finished last and pulled up two-fifths lame.

All systems go for Autumn Glow

Premier combination Chris Waller and James McDonald were delighted with a final outing for unbeaten star Autumn Glow ahead of her return in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) next week at Randwick.

Autumn Glow had a 1000m exhibition gallop, along with five other Waller stars, between races at Randwick on Saturday, clocking 1:05.64 for the trip and 37.8 seconds for the last 600m under a hold from McDonald.

“She’s come back well, basically where she left off, which was pretty good,” Waller said of the Golden Eagle winner.

“Everything’s gone to plan so far. Two trials, a nice easy gallop today and James was very happy. He said she was never out of second gear.”

Lazzura (1:03.88, 36.62), which resumes in the Expressway Stakes next week, and Apollo runners Aeliana (1:08.88, 38.9) and Lindermann (1:03.24, 35.76) also galloped. Waller was unsure of a return race for Lady Shenandoah (1:15.23, 42.44) and Trinity College (1:09.85, 39.51).

Baker looks to unleash talent

Trainer Bjorn Baker was weighing up stakes targets for Unleeshing after the four-year-old mare overcame a tough run to win at Randwick on Saturday and give jockey Jason Collett an early double.

Collett made a mid-race move on Unleeshing before she mowed down runaway leader Lancelot Du Lac. Unleeshing was stepping up from a midweek fillies and mares benchmark 64 handicap (1550m) win on the Kensington track to take out the benchmark 78 for three and four-year-olds over the mile.

Baker said it was a phenomenal effort from Unleeshing, which has taken time to overcome niggling injuries.

“We’ll just go through the grades, but maybe a stakes race,” Baker said of her next target.

“Maybe the Aspirational or the Epona.

“She was working for a lot of the race, so for her to find like that, she’s something a little bit special.”

Collett earlier won the Highway Handicap on Fingers Hunter for trainers Brett and Georgie Cavanough, who won the Highway last week with Navy Steel.