In what was the run of the day, one of Australia’s better gallopers Tom Kitten signified he’s back as a force for the 2026 Autumn carnival with a spectacular first-up performance to win the G3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Tom Kitten and the gutsy first-up win of Light Infantry Man in the G3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) signified the class of the pair over their respective rivals and that they could emulate their efforts of 2025 in the Melbourne autumn carnival.
In 2025 Tom Kitten finished second in the Futurity Stakes before he won the All-Star Mile and Light Infantry Man won the Australian Cup.
Tom Kitten recorded the second fastest last 200m of the meeting flying home in 11.23 seconds, a time which was only marginally bettered by sprinter Oak Hill when he won the Rubiton Stakes.
Tom Kitten firmed into $6 for the All-Star Mile and $8 for the Australian Cup.
Tom Kitten’s co-trainer Sam Freedman put the win in some perspective in terms of the galloper’s fitness level and the class he was up against.
“He is racing probably 20-kilos heavier than at Flemington and probably 20-lengths below that level as well,” with Freedman referencing Tom Kitten’s previous start when third in the Mackinnon Stakes to Via Sistina.
Tom Kitten drifted well back which Freedman said was part of the pre-race plan.
“Craig (Williams) and I had a chat before the event and I was really to see him not have a gut buster and not have to circle the whole field and make a long run,” Freedman said.
“You see when they got going and he kept him back, he made his run at the perfect time but great to get the horse back in the winners’ stall.”
Freedman acknowledged when they were given Tom Kitten to train last year from James Cummings there was pressure on them as he had been a top class galloper.
“Ultimately, we felt the he’d been running well in the spring but didn’t get the rub of the green. We’re not getting carried away – it is a fair step down from the level that he has been to – but on his times at home and the way he is carrying condition, he can hopefully get to the level he has been at.
“I think fresh is best with him and probably doing less. We were a victim last prep of missing a run when he was scratched at the gates.”
“We were chasing our tail going to the mile first-up and we were concerned that he was racing too keenly and we had to work to make him settle, which didn’t work.
“He pulled his head off in a sedate tempo in the Makybe and then he gradually got better. He had a fitness run at The Valley and the he was back on track in Sydney. His last run was good.
“I know that is a long story for it but there are reasons for each performance.
“He’ll either go to the Futurity or the Blamey now. Likely to the Futurity and then onto the All-Star Mile, then possibly the Australian Cup.”
Light Infantry Man’s trainer Ciaron Maher said the galloper will head to All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 7 and then possibly to Sydney.
Light Infantry Man was up on the speed chasing the front-runner Regal Zeus and he looked to be struggling early in the straight.
“He was very good. It was a brutally run mile. He was vulnerable and should have been vulnerable first-up,” Maher said.
“Although he came off the bridle and chased, it just shows his ability and his aerobic capacity to stand up like that.”
In terms of the Blue Diamond Stakes the significant performances were those of the winners of the Preludes, Closer To Free and Streisand.
Closer To Free was purchased by Danny O’Brien after a win in a Caulfield trial nine days before the race and he showed his class with his win.
“I thought he maybe looks a bit burly and might need the run which is good for two weeks’ time. He has an amazing nature,” O’Brien said.
“He’s a very relaxed, sensible colt and always travels comfortably. I think he’s well above average.”
Streisand’s trainer Clinton McDonald said it made a big difference having Jamie Melham positioned her on the speed but he noted there should be improvement to come as she was still keen early.
