Breeders Plate winner Espionage has been slated for a Silver Slipper return, and the James Cummings-trained Tom Kitten will take the subsequent step on his path to the Randwick Guineas.
Nash Rawiller fires Tom Kitten to victory within the Up And Coming Stakes final 12 months. Getty
“I have been pretty open in what I think of Tom Kitten – he could be anything,” Rawiller stated. “I haven’t changed my thoughts.
“I haven’t been on him this time in at all, so I can’t wait to get on him on Saturday and feel the improvement. I thought his run in the Eskimo Prince Stakes first up showed he is in good shape.
“Looking at it, I thought his next hundred was going to be his best hundred, and as he steps up in trip he is only going to get better.
“It is a long way from his best trip, but on Saturday if he is close to them at the hundred mark I think he will pick them up because he is that type of horse.”
Rawiller missed Tom Kitten’s win within the Spring Champion Stakes due to suspension. Cummings regards that win as a bonus and believes the Harry Angel colt has come again higher in 2024.
“He was still growing in the spring, and we always thought whatever he did he would be better now,” Cummings stated. “He showed at Rosehill in the Up And Coming Stakes that he has the toe for this sort of trip.
“He will enjoy getting his toe into the ground a bit, so on Saturday, being back at set weights and up in trip, everything is in his favour.
“He is an exciting horse for Godolphin, and we are expecting him to keep improving and be a group 1 threat in the Guineas.”
Tom Kitten is a $3.20 Hobartville favorite and a $4.50 second decide behind Militarize for the Randwick Guineas in a few weeks.
Rawiller was at all times going to the primary decide for Tom Kitten and was booked for Espionage greater than a month in the past.
“It has been a bit of a wait for this day to come around because I knew they would be both here,” Rawiller stated. “It is sort of a D-day in some way because it tell us where they sit, but I’m confident they will more than measure up.”
Rawiller has been within the saddle for each of Espionage’s barrier trials, essentially the most recent being a victory the place he stayed on the bridle in operating 34.25 seconds for his closing 600m as these round him have been beneath stress.
“I have liked what I have felt in the barrier trials and at trackwork,” Rawiller stated. “Every time you get on him he feels that little bit stronger.
“It has been a bit of a wait to get to Saturday, but I am sure he will be competitive in this race and on to the Golden Slipper. He has the feel of a top-class colt, but you find out a lot more about them on raceday.
“I was keen to stick with him and made the commitment to ride him a while ago.”
Rawiller has had a irritating run of placings in February and sits one behind Jason Collett on the Sydney’s riders premiership, however he has ebook stuffed with favourites at Rosehill, together with Belvedere Boys within the Highway Handicap.
“Matt Dunn’s horses are flying, and Belvedere Boys and Derry Grove are good rides as well, it looks like it could be a big day,” Rawiller stated.
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