Gelded prior to this campaign, Tom Kitten will chase Saturday’s Golden Eagle (1500m) and the $10 million purse that comes with it, with trainer James Cummings believing his Group 1 winner brings the right form.
Tom Kitten was last seen running into fourth behind Ceolwulf in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m), working home strongly from last to be beaten 3.8 lengths off a tempo set by Pride Of Jenni, form that Cummings believes will hold up.
“He went well. He went beautifully. He’s really flying, Tom Kitten, so the Golden Eagle is going to be a huge race. But I’d like to think that Tom Kitten is going to have very interesting form taking into the Golden Eagle through Pride of Jenni and also Ceolwulf,” Cummings said.
Tom Kitten has firmed into $11 on the fifth line of betting having drawn barrier two for the Golden Eagle and will be ridden by Ben Melham.
Restricted to four-year-olds, the Golden Eagle has attracted a strong international contingent headed by Japanese Group 1 winning filly Ascoli Piceno and unbeaten French Group 1 winner Lazzat.
Ascoli Piceno is out to emulate her compatriot Obamburumai who won the race last year, with the filly drawing barrier 17 for Tommy Berry while Lazzat will jump from barrier 12 with regular French rider Antonio Orani to have his first ride in Australia.
Cummings is wary of the international form but says there are positives to racing at home.
“Oh, look, very, very good horses. Huge respect for them, and yet, it’s a bit for them. The challenge for them is to settle in and come and race us in our backyard, 1,500 (metres) around a flat track,” Cummings said.
“But Tom Kitten has gone beautifully at Rosehill. He’s won there this prep. He’s an Up And Coming winner there and he’s run plenty of good races.”
“I think he’s going to find himself in a really good challenge there. But we couldn’t have him in any better form for the target race this prep.”
Ascoli Piceno has drifted in the market but remains favourite at $4.50 ahead of Joliestar at $6.00 who drew barrier 11 and Lazzat at $7.00. Southport Tycoon ($9.00) is the only other runner in the field of 20 at single figures despite drawing barrier 15.
