Kitten sharpens claws for All-Star Mile

Tom Kitten signalled even better results were to come when he returned to racing with an unlucky second in the G1 Futurity Stakes over 1,400m at Caulfield two weeks ago.

While Godolphin Australia head trainer James Cummings believes Tom Kitten could be poised for the best preparation of his career, he’s a realist and knows taking on weight-for-age champion Mr Brightside and others in Saturday’s G1 All-Star Mile at Flemington is a big task.

Nevertheless, Cummings couldn’t be happier with his four-year-old – who ran Mr Brightside to a half-head at Caulfield after only gaining clear running in the final 100m.

“He pulled up outstandingly from that run in the Futurity,” Cummings said on Thursday.

“His gallop on the course proper this week was scintillating.

A first-up winner in Sydney last preparation, Tom Kitten ran some good races during the spring without winning. The son of Harry Angel has now filled into his massive frame and Cummings has him right where he needs to be.  

“These first two runs in Melbourne might just be the runs he needs to get him into the picture against the better horses around the country,” the trainer said.

“He’s been a bit of a project to get back to this level since he was so impressive in the Spring Champion Stakes as a three-year-old.

“Having got back to those big performances against Ceolwulf last preparation, and not to mention the impressive form from that Golden Eagle, we feel we are cooking with gas.

Ben Melham retains the ride and the in-form Melbourne hoop will also be aboard Secret Glory and Ohope for Cummings at Flemington.

Secret Glory resumes in the G3 Darley Ottawa Stakes down he straight 1,000m course, with Ohope having his second start in the G2 Sires’ Produce Stakes 1,400m.

“Secret Glory is a quick filly by Blue Point,” Cummings said.
“There’s not a lot of her but she’s been full of running in some jump-outs and will arrive here fresh and capable of running a race.

“Ohope is a very interesting colt, with a big pedigree out of a very good mare in Pohutukawa. “The step up to 1,400m at Flemington is ideal for the horse, but it’s a big step up in grade after being beaten in a maiden.

“He was excellent then and he’s improved since, so he’s certainly one to watch.”

Cummings has a big team competing at Royal Randwick, with stable spearhead Broadsiding (James McDonald) considered his best winning chance in the G1 Randwick Guineas over 1,600m.

The three-year-old colt resumed with a stylish victory in the G2 Hobartville Stakes 1,400m at Rosehill Gardens two weeks ago and hasn’t looked back.

“He handled that first-up run very well,” Cummings said.

“Our assessment is that he handled that run better than he handled his win in the Golden Rose first-up last prep.

“I’ve been very pleased with him heading into the Guineas.

“With confidence of that win under his belt against the three-year-olds, and remaining with the three-year-olds again here, he looks beautifully placed.
“Everything feels like it’s going nicely to plan.

“I did a little bit of work with him this week and he came back after the gallop kicking up his heels, feeling that good.

“He’s gone back this morning after a little bit of light work here at the track, he’s humming.”

Pericles returns from Melbourne to run in the G1 Canterbury Stakes over 1,300m with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.

The five-year-old must improve after finishing eighth to Mr Brightside in the Futurity and would appreciate some sting out of the track.

Kallos is first-up in the G2 Challenge Stakes over 1,000m and is a great “fresh” horse capable of producing a “spike” performance with Zac Lloyd on his back.

Lloyd also has the mount on three-year-old filly Zeitung in the Listed Fireball Stakes 1,100m, with Cummings expecting a big effort fresh on the predicted rain-affected surface.

Tempted also returns after her unlucky seventh in the G1 Blue Diamond to contest the G2 Reisling Stakes over 1,200m. Although drawn wide in gate 11, the two-year-old found the line strongly from back in the field at Caulfield and does have McDonald to pilot.

“I think she’s going very well,” Cummings said of his filly.
“She settled down second-last at the half-mile in the Blue Diamond and didn’t get the clearest of passages.

“I think she’s an excellent chance for us in a time-honoured race that would be amazing for her (pedigree) page, and big result for the farm.”

Juvenile colt Beiwacht couldn’t have been more impressive when an upset winner of the G2 Silver Slipper at Rosehill a fortnight ago, but he faces his biggest test in the G2 Darley Todman Stakes (1,200m) with Adam Hyeronimus booked.

“He’s a very good colt, Beiwacht,” Cummings declared.

“He’s getting his act together at the right time with the proximity to the Golden Slipper.

“I agree with some who say the Golden Slipper favourite is destined to come out of this Todman Stakes.”

Stablemate Aleppo Pine is also a Todman Stakes acceptor, but he could dodge the race and instead tackle the G3 Black Opal Stakes on Sunday.

Giant mare Commemorative was stiff first-up when third at Randwick and could end the day on a winning note for Cummings in the G3 Wenona Girl Quality.

“She was quite luckless in the finish behind Inhibitions first-up in the Triscay,” Cummings said.

“Jason Collett takes over and I think it’s going to work out, at the weights, 1,200m, last race, all in her favour.

“There’s every reason she can improve on that first-up run and she could realistically be a winning chance.”