Tom Kitten set for second Memsie Stakes attempt
The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable is targeting a better outcome for Tom Kitten in the upcoming Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.
A year ago, Tom Kitten was a late withdrawal from the Group 1 race over 1400 metres after becoming unsettled in the barriers.
This incident impacted Tom Kitten's spring campaign, with the Godolphin-owned gelding having to play catch-up throughout the preparation.
The gelding did eventually finish his campaign running third to Via Sistina on a very heavy Flemington track during Melbourne Cup week.
Tom Kitten resumed in the autumn to win the Kevin Heffernan Stakes over 1400m first-up and returns to that distance on Saturday to kick off his spring campaign.
Priced at $19 in the current betting, Sam Freedman concedes that this quote reflects the calibre of Saturday's field.
Freedman mentioned that the recent weather patterns in Melbourne have not been ideal in preparing Tom Kitten for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield this Saturday.
He indicated that the five horses representing the Chris Waller stable – Buckaroo, Angel Capital, Birdman, Autumn Boy, and Beiwacht – alongside the Ciaron Maher-trained Jimmysstar, likely possess an advantage over his galloper at this juncture of their campaigns.
"I didn't envisage it coming up quite a strong as it is," Freedman shared.
"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."
While Tom Kitten has achieved victory three times from seven first-up starts, Freedman expects Tom Kitten will require the run on Saturday.
"He will improve with the run, but he was a fresh winner, in a much weaker race, last preparation," Freedman commented. "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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