At the mile distance, it’s widely accepted by most trainers that defeating Autumn Glow at Flemington on Saturday will be a substantial task, and Sam Freedman falls into that category. However, if there’s a runner set to improve and challenge her, Tom Kitten is a possibility.

A change in gear, returning to a previously successful setup, and a resurgence in form could indicate an improvement for the enigmatic gelding.

Tom Kitten is slated to compete in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m), facing tougher opposition, but the race presents itself, and the Freedman team is entering with a ‘why not’ outlook.

“She’s a superstar,” Sam stated, with understandable brevity regarding his opinion of Autumn Glow.

“We are putting blinkers on Tom. He has never worn them in his entire career, so we thought now was the right moment.

“We have to make up, I’m not sure by how many lengths, to match them, but he is in good condition.

“He is a two-time winner of the All-Star Mile, so it feels like the correct decision.”

A second-place finish in his most recent outing, the Group 2 Craven Plate (1800m) at Randwick, has brought Tom Kitten back towards his winning form, but stepping up to 2000m in the Champions Stakes was less favourable.

“His performance record over the mile here is excellent, and this seems like a more fitting race for him,” Freedman remarked.

“He has run at 2000m many times during his career, and races at that distance that were not run at a high tempo didn’t seem to suit him.

“With horses coming from the Cox Plate, they will set a strong pace, and he might just find himself wanting.”

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