Tom Kitten dominates in Spring Champion
A start in next week’s Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) now looms large for Tom Kitten (Harry Angel) after he trounced his rivals in yesterday’s Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Randwick.
Trained by James Cummings, the son of Harry Angel (Dark Angel) produced a demolition job on his rivals, pulling effortlessly clear to beat the Coolmore-raced, Chris Waller-trained Cap Ferrat (Snitzel) by three and three-quarter lengths. Ganbare (Maurice) finished another length away in third.
Cummings has always had a high opinion of the colt, who won at Listed level and finished fourth at Group 1 level as a two-year-old.
After opening his account on debut this season in the Up And Coming Stakes (Gr 3, 1300m) at Rosehill on August 26, Tom Kitten has run well in his three subsequent starts, placing third in both the Ming Dynasty Quality (Gr 3, 1400m) and Dulcify Stakes (Listed, 1600m), while he was last seen finishing second in the Gloaming Stakes (Gr 3, 1800m) on October 14.
However, stretched beyond 1800 metres for the first time, the colt stayed every yard of yesterday’s 2000 metres and Cummings is confident the 2500 metres of the Victoria Derby will pose no issues for the three-year-old.
“He’s a very interesting horse, he’s from a quick family but he is inbred to Machiavellian, the sire of Street Cry, and the horse has a classic style about him,” Cummings said.
“He looks like he will eat up 2500 and the VRC Derby is a time-honoured race.
“It’s certainly worthwhile thinking about, but whatever we do will revolve around how well Tom Kitten is and that’s the bottom line.”
Cummings said he believed Tom Kitten would not have been out of place in Melbourne’s Cox Plate and hopes he can earn his right to a start in the race in 12 months’ time.
“The horse’s misfortunes have been immeasurable these past three starts,” Cummings said.
“It’s just fantastic that he was able to get into the clear when he found himself in the best race of the prep and he was able to show just how good he is.
“He’s just kept improving, he’s been training so solidly at Osborne Park. I thought he was capable of that yes, and he’s proved to be one of the best middle distance horses in the country today. A nomination in the Cox Plate wouldn’t have been out of place, but if we can keep getting him better and better then 12 months time he might be racing on the same day down in Melbourne.”
Nash Rawiller had ridden the colt in all three four starts this season, but after he picked up a ride in the Cox Plate and then a ban, Adam Hyeronimus took over the reins and he made the most of his chance in his debut for Godolphin.
“Gee he’s some horse. He’s a gentle giant, but he’s got so much ability,” Hyeronimus said. “I don’t think they’ve got to the bottom of him, I think he’ll be better next preparation.
“Riding it for James [Cummings] and Godolphin is fantastic. Obviously, he’s a colt winning a Group 1 and has been the main seed all the way through these races, and for him to tick that box off is very pleasing. I’m sure he’s going to be very valuable and there’s no reason why he won’t win another Group 1.
“It was a messy run race; he was probably a little bit stronger than I anticipated. He was nice and relaxed going to the start, and I was positive I wanted to hold a position, but I wasn’t expecting the race to be run like that. Although he had cover he near enough raced without cover the whole race and he was just a little bit strong.
“I worked up on the back of tired horses. I was happy to cut the corner instead of peeling him out, I saw my opportunity and took it. Once he got out I did think I’ve exposed him too early, but he’s just got so much ability.”
A half-brother to stakes winner Promotions (Exceed And Excel) and multiple city winner Va Via (Astern), Tom Kitten (3 c ex Transfers by Street Cry) is out of Street Cry (Machiavellian) mare Transfers.
His granddam, Movin’ Out (Encosta De Lago), is a three-quarter sister to Group 1-winning stallion Manhattan Rain (Encosta De Lago), while a generation further back, his third dam Twyla (Danehill) is a half-sister to blue hen Shantha’s Choice (Canny Lad) and three-quarter sister to Group 1 winners and Group 1-producing stallions Redoute’s Choice (Danehill) and Al Maher (Danehill).
It is a developing family from a Godolphin perspective. Tom Kitten is Transfers’ fourth foal and she has a two-year-old Brazen Beau (I Am Invincible) colt.
Harry Angel is standing his fifth season at Darley Kelvinside, having served his biggest ever Australian book, 174, in 2022. Standing at $33,000 (inc GST), he has 91 winners globally, including nine stakes winners, with three of those, including Tom Kitten, coming from his first Australian crop, which has yielded 18 winners to date.