Tom Kitten out to conquer Caulfield

James Cummings is sticking to a well-worn path with one of the geldings he has in Saturday’s Futurity Stakes, but the other will be entering unchartered territory.

Tom Kitten will have his first Victorian start in more than two years when he resumes in the $750,000 Group 1.

Two of Tom Kitten’s first three starts were in Victoria, most recently the 2023 Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, in which he finished fifth, but the son of Harry Angel has campaigned exclusively in Sydney ever since.

Saturday will be Tom Kitten’s first time at Caulfield and Cummings was pleased to see him draw in low gate two for the 1400-metre weight-for-age event.

“He hasn’t had a chance to look around Caulfield yet, but the inner draw was valuable to him and Ben Melham should be able to enjoy run-of-the-race stuff with him,” Cummings said.

“Whilst he comes up against tough opposition here, he’s ready to acquit himself well.”

The Futurity will be his first start since his third placing in the Golden Eagle (1500m), but the four-year-old caught the eye in a recent jumpout third placing and Cummings said how he goes will play a significant role in where the remainder of his preparation is played out.

“We’ve got options, we’ve got the chance to run the horse in the All-Star Mile if he were able to run really well in the Futurity,” Cummings said.

“I could bring him back for the George Ryder and he’s really one of our leading contestants for the Doncaster at the moment.”

“That could be a target race for him to come for, so that’s essentially what he’s gearing up for at the moment.”

Tom Kitten will start to the immediate outside of stablemate Pericles, who was runner-up to Mr Brightside in last year’s Futurity Stakes.

The Street Boss gelding also placed in a Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes over the Caulfield 1400m and while he has had his fair share of opportunities at Group 1 level, Cummings is happy to keep taking chances while he is running well.

“He’s been to Caulfield already and Blake (Shinn) has a good association with the horse,” Cummings said.

“He’s a reliable horse and he’s going to turn up and run a good race.

“He hasn’t cracked it at Group 1 level in 10 goes yet, but one of these days just could be his day.”

The Futurity Stakes precedes Saturday’s feature event, the $2 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), in which Cummings will be represented by last-start Group 3 Widden Stakes runner-up Tempted.