Most trainers acknowledge that beating Autumn Glow at Flemington on Saturday over the mile presents a significant challenge, and Sam Freedman shares this view. However, if there’s a horse poised for improvement to challenge her, it could be Tom Kitten.

A strategic gear alteration, returning to a proven successful setup, combined with a return to better form, could signal an uplift for the unpredictable gelding.

Tom Kitten will compete in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) against a more formidable field, but the race presents an opportunity, and the Freedman stable is approaching it with an optimistic ‘why not’ attitude.

“She’s a superstar,” Sam commented, adding little else to his assessment of Autumn Glow.

“We are putting the blinkers on Tom. He has never worn them throughout his career, so we felt now was the opportune moment.

“We need to bridge a gap, I’m not sure by how many lengths, to catch up to them, but he is racing well.

“He is a two-time All-Star Mile winner, so it feels like the right move.”

His most recent second-place finish in the Group 2 Craven Plate (1800m) at Randwick has brought Tom Kitten closer to his previous winning form, though a step up to 2000m in the Champions Stakes was less advantageous.

“His record at the mile here is excellent, and this appears to be a more suitable race for him,” Freedman continued.

“He has contested 2000m numerous times throughout his career, and races at that distance that were not strongly run didn’t seem to be his forte.

“With horses emerging from the Cox Plate, they are expected to set a fast pace, and he might find himself outpaced.”

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