The Anthony and Sam Freedman training team is hoping for a better outcome from Tom Kitten in the upcoming Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.
Twelve months ago, Tom Kitten was scratched just before the Group 1 race over 1400 metres after becoming agitated in the barriers.
This setback significantly impacted Tom Kitten’s spring campaign, compelling the Godolphin-owned galloper to play catch-up for the remainder of the preparation.
The gelding eventually concluded his campaign with a third-place finish behind Via Sistina on a very rain-affected Flemington track during Melbourne Cup week.
Tom Kitten made his return in the autumn, clinching the Kevin Heffernan Stakes over 1400m first-up, and will contest the same distance on Saturday to commence his spring run.
Currently listed as a $19 chance in the betting, Sam Freedman acknowledges that this price reflects the high quality of Saturday’s field.
Freedman commented that Melbourne’s recent weather conditions have not been optimal for preparing Tom Kitten for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield this Saturday.
He noted that the five horses from the Chris Waller stable – Buckaroo, Angel Capital, Birdman, Autumn Boy, and Beiwacht – along with Ciaron Maher’s Jimmysstar, likely hold an advantage over his charge at this stage of their preparations.
“I didn’t envisage it coming up quite a strong as it is,” Freedman conveyed.
“I do think the Sydney (prepared) horses will have a bit of an edge on the Melbourne horses coming into the start of the spring is my view.
“They’ve had much warmer weather, probably had good access to tracks and the horses genuinely look and feel a little better to start off the spring.
“My view is that they start to even out once they get to that Caulfield Carnival and beyond.”
Although Tom Kitten boasts a record of three wins from seven first-up starts, Freedman anticipates that Tom Kitten will benefit from Saturday’s outing.
“He will improve with the run, but he was a fresh winner, in a much weaker race, last preparation,” Freedman stated. “It wouldn’t be a shock if he’s running very well and is steaming through them late, but I feel the Sydney horses may just have the edge.”
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