There’s always been a bit of something about Tom Kitten and he was mighty getting back to Group One winning form at Flemington on Saturday, staring down a brave Mr Brightside to prevail in the All Star Mile.
It was Tom’s second Group One win, having won the Spring Champion Stakes as a three-year-old in 2023, after which he lost his way a little. Although not in a bad way.
He finished 4th in the G1 Randwick Guineas and G1 Australian Derby, beaten less than two lengths in the G1 Rosehill Guineas. But always among the favourites.
It’s not like he was getting rolled in benchmark races but there were some who began to question his commitment.
Given he was gelded not long after, his trainer may have been one of those.
So after an unlucky effort first-up this campaign in the Futurity Stakes, it was beautiful to watch for his supporters when he dug in for the fight against one of the very best in Mr Brightside and came out on top at the top level.
The Race
Mr Brightside and Another Wil started equal favourites and from the jump both raced on pace, Another Wil on the fence tracking the leader with Mr Brightside outside, Craig Williams keeping him strategically a half-length behind.
Tom Kitten settled back after a less than perfect jump.
Mr Brightside quickened better than Another Wil into the straight and cruised to the front while Tom Kitten chimed in strongly and had the look of a winner at the 200m but Mr Brightside didn’t want to take no for an answer. He was outstanding in defeat.
Another Wil it should be said, got going again after being outsprinted and all but fell when attempting to get through for his crack. He should have been much closer.
WHAT THEY SAID
Ben Melham:
“He came back really good, this horse. His second prep as a gelding and James Cummings and Godolphin, they’re such good conditioners of this calibre of horse heading to these big races.
“He was obviously very unlucky the other day. In another hop he probably beats Mr Brightside.
“I was confident he could come here and beat Brightside today, but he just has a few antics on the barriers and stepped a bit ordinary, but it worked out really well for us.
“I was able to suck up for a little bit straightening and when I let him down I knew he’d be there for me.
“He’s really genuine now. I know he’s got a bit of a bad rap, but he’s run a lot of good races.”
Nacim Dilmi (Godolphin representative):
“He just pulled up so well from the Futurity.
“We were very confident coming into this race.”
Craig Williams (Mr Brightside):
“What a star. He’s only just gone down, beaten by a tough horse that got close to him the other day.
“We were great. What I did take out of it, even when the Godolphin horse had us covered inside the 200 metres, I thought Mr Brightside’s fight was great and even through the line he was still fighting.
“It just shows you why he is so good. He’s a champion, and unfortunately, we didn’t win the All-Star Mile today.”
THE BREEDING
Tom Kitten is one of three stakes winners for his dam Transfers (Street Cry), the others being Listed winners, Va Via (Astern) and Promotions (Exceed And Excel).
The family includes Group One winners Desert Lightning and Gathering.
Transfers progress hasn’t been pretty since Tom Kitten – she has an unnamed three-year-old by Brazen Beau, her Palace Pier colt died in 2023, missed the following year, but was served by Harry Angel last season.
He remains the best of Harry Angel’s progeny as his first and only Group One winner although he does have the promising Angel Capital chasing realistic Group One targets in the next few weeks.
