Memsie launch pad for Tom Kitten under Freedmans

Tom Kitten answered his critics and proved himself against the very best mile to middle-distance horses in Australia last preparation.

Although a G1 winner of the Spring Champion Stakes 2,000m at three, the giant son of Harry Angel had seemingly taken time to develop and mature.

Now trained for Godolphin by Anthony and Sam Freedman at Mornington, Tom Kitten returns to racing in the G1 Memsie Stakes over 1,400m at Caulfield on Saturday.

Tom Kitten made amends for an unlucky first-up second behind Mr Brightside in the G2 Futurity Stakes over 1,400m at Caulfield back in February with a brilliant victory in the G1 All-Star Mile at Flemington.

Narrow defeats in the G1 George Ryder Stakes 1,500m at Rosehill Gardens and the G1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick, when trapped in slower going on the inside rail, followed before Tom Kitten finished a great third behind champions Via Sistina and Dubai Honour in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2,000m at Randwick before spelling.

That performance sealed his seat at the top table and, with further development, Tom Kitten could be even better this time in work.

The Freedmans are delighted with Tom Kitten’s condition and demeanour, and are excited about his spring campaign ahead.

“He’s been really good, he’s trialled up very nicely, but we haven’t pushed him out in his jump-outs,”
Sam Freedman said.

“He’s got form around all the best horses, we’ve just got to try to get him into the same vein of form.
“He’s been pretty uncomplicated since we’ve had him and it looks like he’s in for a good prep.”

Since arriving at Mornington, Tom Kitten has had two jump-outs under regular ride Ben Melham – who again takes the mount on Saturday.

“His first trial for us was very, very sharp, he was quite fresh and wanted to run through the bridle,” Freedman said.
“In his trial last week, he peeled out wide at Mornington and Ben held him together and they cruised to the line.

“He wasn’t there to knock him around.
“His work has been solid and he’s certainly forward enough to run well.”

Godolphin’s quality mare Zardozi (Ethan Brown) also kicks off her spring campaign in the Memsie under new trainer Ciaron Maher.

The five-year-old usually takes a few runs to find her best form and should be suited over longer distances.

At Rosehill Gardens, smart colt Beiwacht will have his first run under the care of champion trainer Chris Waller in the G3 San Domenico Stakes over 1,100m.

A surprise winner of the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes over the same course and distance in February, Beiwacht drew outside barriers when unplaced in the G2 Todman Stakes 1,200m and G1 Golden Slipper Stakes 1,200m before spelling.

That luck didn’t change when Beiwacht drew the outside barrier for the San Domenico.

“A tricky draw for Adam Hyeronimus,” Waller admitted this week.
“When he won the Silver Slipper he drew seven and sat outside the leader, sat second.

“He’ll have to do something similar on Saturday but, at the same time, we are just trying to harness him a little bit.
“There’s a lot of energy and speed there, the draw just makes it a little bit tricky.”

Beiwacht appeared to be bolting, but never given his head in a Randwick trial on 7 August before an effortless win in a Warwick Farm heat 15 days later.