Tom Kitten highlights star qualities on sensational Saturday

Racenews
Racenews

Godolphin enjoyed a banner day in Australia on Saturday, with four Group victories at Flemington and Randwick headed by a superb win for Tom Kitten in the G1 All-Star Mile.

Narrowly denied by Mr Brightside in the G1 Futurity Stakes two weeks earlier, Tom Kitten exacted his revenge with a swooping nose verdict over the nine-time G1 winner in the Flemington feature.

A son of Harry Angel, Tom Kitten was recording a second top-level success of his own, having dominated the Spring Champion Stakes in October, 2023. He looks set to continue his fine autumn in either the George Ryder Stakes or Australian Cup.

Three-time G1 winner Broadsiding could have the George Ryder Stakes on his radar as well after his half-length second to Linebacker in the G1 Randwick Guineas. Anamoe filled the runner-up spot in the Randwick Guineas three years ago before a commanding win in the Rosehill Guineas, and the 10-furlong race is also an option for Broadsiding.

Both two-year-old Group races at Randwick went the way of Godolphin homebreds by Darley stallion Street Boss, with progressive filly Tempted booking her Golden Slipper spot by winning the G2 Reisling Stakes.

Tentyris also had ambitions of running in the Golden Slipper following his victory in the G2 Darley Todman Stakes, although the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes runner-up will miss the rest of the campaign after being found lame.

Commemorative capped an outstanding day as she took out the closing race at Randwick, the G3 Wenona Girl Quality, in decisive fashion. The four-year-old, who was posting a first Group-race success, look set to bid for more G3 honours in the Birthday Card Stakes later this month.

In France, Vertbois made an impressive return to turf as he lowered the colours of G1 winners Marhaba Ya Sanafi and Lazzat in the Listed Prix Altipan on Thursday.

Top miler Master Of The Seas started the next chapter of his life as he returned to his birthplace, Kildangan Stud in Ireland, where he will hopefully become a flagbearer for the Godolphin Lifetime Care programme.