After looking into the possibility of British jumper Constitution Hill running in the Melbourne Cup live on Tuesday November 5, we’re now considering another contender in the shape of Tom Kitten.
Godolphin would surely love to win this race once more. As we’ve already alluded tpo, Charlie Appleby may not want to point horses at Victoria for the time being. Godolphin’s Chesspiece has already been profiled too, but in Tom Kitten the boys in blue have a contender a little closer to home.
About Tom Kitten
Only a three-year-old but one with a future, Tom Kitten is a smart-looking bay/brown colt. Agnes Banks trainer James Cummings takes care of the Godolphin horses, including this one. He also of course has a fantastic family heritage when it comes to Melbourne Cup horses.
Tom Kitten doesn’t have the classic Melbourne Cup pedigree. By outstanding sprinter Harry Angel, he is out of Aussie mare Transfers who herself was a speedy sort. Tom Kitten has the most stamina of her progeny thus far though and it may be that he can be better as he goes further.
This colt has already earned more than $1.6 million after stepping up to 2000 metres to win the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick in October. Given his class, he may well be aimed at the Cup and he has opened up as a $26 chance with a couple of online betting firms.
Tom Kitten’s Form and Expectations
From his debut in January onwards, Tom Kitten was kept busy and ran thirteen times in 2023.
Fourth of eight on that debut at Flemington, he scored next time out at Randwick under James McDonald. A Group 2 fifth at Flemington and a third at Warwick Farm in an open trial then followed.
Tom Kitten won again at Randwick before a 4th there in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes. Two more trials then followed before a Group 3 success at Rosehill. Three more placed efforts came before a big step up in form.
Stepping back up to Group 1 class and up to 2000 metres did the trick in the Spring Champion Stakes. Adam Hyeronimus was on board this time back at Randwick for big 3½-length win. His winning record at Randwick may just make him look like somewhat of a course specialist. There will also be some worries about Flemington, though probably unfounded.
The Melbourne Cup is never an afterthought, but with this class of horse at this age all the best weight-for-age races will be first on the list. The Cox Plate is surely the one they’ll aim for most of all.
