Future looks bright for Tom Kitten and Ancient Wisdom

Two colts who will be hoping to make their marks in Classics over the coming months enjoyed G1 glory on opposite sides of the world on Saturday, with Tom Kitten striking in Australia and Ancient Wisdom taking the final major race in the UK calendar.

Three-year-old Tom Kitten had enjoyed little luck in running on his three previous starts but produced an exceptional display in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick as he stormed clear to score by nearly four lengths.

The Harry Angel homebred, who becomes a first top-level winner for his sire, has been kept busy so far this season and will sidestep this weekend’s Victoria Derby to prepare for the autumn Classics.

Ancient Wisdom followed up his recent win in the G3 Emirates Autumn Stakes with another impressive performance in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, in which the son of Dubawi stayed on strongly for a decisive victory in testing conditions.

The last G1 of the UK season has produced five subsequent Derby winners since 2000, and Ancient Wisdom looks certain to make his mark over middle distances as a three-year-old.

Santa Anita hosts the Breeders’ Cup this week and Godolphin will be represented by another strong team on Saturday’s main card, with all eight intended runners having already enjoyed significant success in North America.

Cody’s Wish will be hoping to defend his crown in the Dirt Mile, with Proxy lining up in the Classic and Kentucky Oaks heroine Pretty Mischievous joining Wet Paint in the Distaff. Matareya is also set to represent the US-based runners as she goes for a third G1 in the Filly & Mare Sprint.

Mawj, winner of the 1,000 Guineas and Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland, goes in the Mile, a race which features Woodbine Mile victor Master Of The Seas. Filly & Mare Turf contender With The Moonlight, who took the Saratoga Oaks last year, completes the European contingent.

Cylinder, who ran a fine race to finish a close fifth in The Everest, hopes to secure a first G1 victory in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on the same day.