Each week, Daniel O’Sullivan delivers insights into the top performers from The Rating Bureau’s WFA Performance Ratings. This week, Tempted has announced herself as one of Australia’s premier sprinters with a commanding 104 rating win in the G2 Run To The Rose. The race, held under ideal conditions, saw Raging Force set a brisk tempo early on, which played into Tempted’s hands as she showcased her ability to sprint off the pace between the 400m and 100m marks.
Tempted’s performance is noteworthy when compared to the open-age sprinters, with only Joliestar’s 105 rating in the Newmarket surpassing her in 2025. Other notable performances include Briasa’s 103.8 in the G1 TJ Smith and Private Harry’s 102.3 in the G1 Galaxy, underscoring the significance of Tempted’s achievement.
Rising Stars and Promising Performances
Meanwhile, Autumn Boy delivered an impressive return, improving from a 97.4 peak win to a 100.4 rating, finishing second to stablemate Sixties in the G3 Ming Dynasty over 1400m. Carrying an additional 3.5kg compared to the winner, Autumn Boy’s weight-adjusted rating is superior, suggesting he could be a strong contender in the upcoming Caulfield Guineas.
Autumn Glow further solidified her reputation as a future Group 1 contender with a 104 rating win in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes. Her performance, characterized by strong closing sectionals, indicates she may excel over longer distances, with the G1 Epsom Handicap on the horizon.
Veterans and Comebacks
Manaal, who struggled in the autumn, made a strong comeback this spring with a 98.5 rating win in the G2 Sheraco Stakes, matching her career peak from her G1 Sires’ Produce victory as a two-year-old. This resurgence highlights her potential to reclaim her status among the elite.
Mr Brightside’s performance in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes also drew attention, with the race run at a notably slow tempo. Despite this, Mr Brightside sprinted home in the final 600m, achieving a 102 WFA Performance Rating, consistent with his previous bests.
Analyzing the Slow Tempo Impact
Races with extreme slow tempos, like the Makybe Diva Stakes, present unique challenges in assessment. Once fields of this caliber are asked to sprint home, they operate at the physical limits of what is possible over the final 600m. Mr Brightside’s +11.1L above standard for his final 600m, while impressive, was not an anomaly, as similar performances have been recorded in his career.
“Mr Brightside ran +11.1L above standard for his final 600m and returned a 102 WFA Performance Rating, right in line with his best in the autumn.”
His competitors, Aeliana, Via Sistina, and Antino, also delivered strong performances, with Antino’s +11.9L being particularly commendable. The race dynamics suggest that despite the slow pace, these horses were operating at their peak, underscoring their quality.
Emerging Contenders
Juja Kibo demonstrated significant improvement, positioning himself better during the race and achieving a new peak rating of 97. This marks a substantial leap from his previous best of 91.3, indicating his potential for future success.
Revelare secured a spot in the Melbourne Cup with a win in the G3 Archer Stakes, raising his peak from 95 to 96.2. As an Australian-bred horse, Revelare embodies the local spirit, though his ratings suggest he still has work to do to be competitive in the Cup. His potential, however, remains promising.
Understanding WFA Performance Ratings
WFA Performance Ratings (WPRs) provide a standardized measure of horse performance, normalized to weight-for-age, allowing direct comparisons across various conditions. These ratings consider race times, sectional times, margin spread, and weights carried, while excluding subjective factors like race luck or track conditions.
“The point scale per length varies slightly with distance, but as a general guide, two points is equal to one length.”
As the racing season progresses, these ratings will continue to offer valuable insights into the capabilities and potential of both established champions and emerging stars.
With Tempted’s recent triumph and the promising performances of other contenders, the Australian racing scene is set for an exciting season. As these horses continue to compete, their performances will undoubtedly shape the narrative of the racing calendar, offering thrilling spectacles for enthusiasts and experts alike.
