Despite finishing outside of the placings in the Rosehill Guineas last start, James Cummings is looking for the quick back-up to be a telling difference for Tom Kitten as the colt steps up to the 2400-metres for the first time in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes on Saturday.
The three-year-old by sire Harry Angel is one that the Godolphin team has not been afraid to race with this next task set to be Tom Kitten’s 15th outing since January 2023.
Having won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last October, Cummings is confident that the talent is there.
“The seven-day back-up into the Tancred is a very interesting challenge for him,” Cummings said.
“He was a little strong in hand for the Rosehill Guineas and I’d say this is perfect for the horse to find out how well he stays at the mile-and-a-half.
“The big performance over a mile-and-a-quarter last October is still firmly in our minds.”
Tom Kitten will be the only three-year-old to line up in this edition of the $1.5 million Tancred Stakes and is rated a $7 chance behind race favourite Post Impressionist – winner of the Group 3 Manion Cup (2400m) last Saturday – at $2.40 with betting apps in Australia.
Tom Kitten finished sixth in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) last Saturday within two-lengths off the winner Riff Rocket, and post-race jockey Hugh Bowman commented that a step up in distance may be in the colt’s favour.
“We had a beautiful run and travelled very well,” Bowman said.
“He sprinted through like I was going to figure but it was a short sprint and he kept building to the line (so) further won’t hurt.”
