Tom Kitten opens as Spring Champion Stakes favourite
The Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) is the headline act this Saturday at Randwick and has attracted a quality field of 12 vying for Group 1 glory.
The James Cummings-trained colt Tom Kitten has been a long-standing favourite for the $2 million feature and has only firmed since drawing barrier one.
He’s opened as short as +120 with online bookmakers, and it’s easy to see why, as he comes through the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) – the traditional lead-up to this event.
The only three-year-old filly in the field is Tutta La Vita and has gained early support on the second line of betting at +550.
She brings different form through the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) on September 30, where the daughter of The Autumn Sun powered into a third-place finish.
Seven other runners come through the Gloaming Stakes – including Raf Attack (+600), who made every post a winner for the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn.
Stablemate Ganbare (+900) held his ground for a mid-field finish in that race and heads those at double-figure odds.
Port Lockroy missed out on a start in the Gloaming, but he is well in the market at +1000 after picking up a victory in BM72 company on Randwick’s Kensington circuit last week.
It’s been left to punters to sort out the remainder of the market, with Kintyre, Glad You Think So, Ravello and Cap Ferrat all set at +1500 apiece.
The Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes kicks off the quaddie at Randwick this Saturday and is scheduled to get underway at 4pm AEDT.
2023 Spring Champions Stakes field
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