Schofield, riding in the Everest for the first time, adopted an aggressive strategy that contrasted with Tempted's usual settling pattern. The four-year-old mare, second to Ka Ying Rising in last year's race, pushed forward from barrier one to sit behind leader Savvy Hallie, then kicked clear in the straight.
"I normally just ride her quietly because I know she's going to peel out at the top of the straight and run straight past them," Schofield said. "Today, with Ka Ying Rising in the race, we needed to be bold, and we were. It's the first time she's jumped and I've given her a squeeze, and like always she was just there for me."
Ka Ying Rising, caught three wide midfield from gate 11, stormed home wide but could not bridge the gap. Joliestar finished third. The result denied Ka Ying Rising a 22nd consecutive win and provided a career highlight for Schofield, who has ridden Tempted in every start since last year's Everest defeat.
Tempted, owned by Godolphin, started the day as a $7 chance but drifted as conditions improved, while Ka Ying Rising held firm favouritism throughout. The Godolphin mare carried 5.5 kilograms more than her rival compared to their previous meeting. Schofield admitted hitting the front so early felt foreign to the mare, who typically waits until later in the run. "In her races in the past, she always hits the front and clocks off, so when I hit the front so early, it was very foreign to her," he said.