Tom Kitten claims Group 1 All Star Mile
James Cummings has claimed his first All Star Mile (1600m) as a trainer, following a perfectly timed ride from Ben Melham aboard Tom Kitten (+360) at Flemington.
Following his flashing light run when he was an unlucky runner-up behind Mr Brightside (+170) in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes, the son of Harry Angel has turned the tables on the champion by defeating him in a head-bobbing finish to the All Star Mile.
As expected, Rise At Dawn (+1700) jumped well from his barrier to lead ahead of Mr Brightside, while the equal-favourite with Neds, Another Wil (+170), settled in the box seat behind the leader, with Light Infantry Man (+3000) holding him on the rail.
Very little changed throughout the 1600m contest before the 600m mark, but it was Light Infantry Man who made the first move by peeling off the heels of Mr Brightside, which gave Tom Kitten a perfect cart around the home turn.
Craig Williams went for Mr Brightside at the 300m mark but Melham still had a strong hold on Tom Kitten, who was slowly taking ground off the new leader.
The two settled down for a ding-dong battle in the final 100m, and it would be the Godolphin runner who would claim victory by a narrow margin on the line.
Nacim Dilmi represented the winning stable in the post-race interview.
“He pulled up so well from the Futurity. We were very confident coming into this race,” Dilmi said.
“Never underestimate Mr Brightside.
“He’s the best miler in the world and, gee, at the top of the straight the way he was travelling, we knew he’d put up a good fight and he sure did all the way to the end.
“He’s got a lot of ability (Tom Kitten).
“A lot of things never went to plan with him.
“He’s had many luckless races and this prep, the guys at Osborne Park said earlier, the way he has been going we knew he was in for a good prep and he sure has.
“Now it is onwards to the Australian Cup. 2000-metres and he’ll put in another good fight.”
Ben Melham was very happy with the win post-race.
“He came back really good, this horse. His second prep as a gelding and James Cuummings and Godolphin, they’re such good conditioners of this calibre of horse heading to these big races,” Melham said.
“He was obviously very unlucky the other day. In another hop, he probably beats Mr Brightside.
“He had the cheaper run and he has probably bounced out of it better.
“I was confident he could come here and beat Brightside today, but he just has a few antics on the barriers and stepped a bit ordinary, but it worked out really well for us.
“I was able to suck up for a little bit straightening, and when I let him down, I knew he’d be there for me.
“He’s really genuine now. I know he’s got a bit of a bad rap but he’s run a lot of good races. He’s run into stiff competition.
“For him to put another big one on the mantlepiece is a great effort by the horse and the stable.”
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