Tom Kitten pounces to beat Mr Brightside in thrilling All-Star Mile at Flemington
Tom Kitten has finally broken through for another Group 1 victory, defying champion Mr Brightside in a thrilling All-Star Mile at Flemington.
Horse Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Godolphin star Tom Kitten defied champion Mr Brightside in a thrilling Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) on Saturday at Flemington.
Mr Brightside, the 2023 All-Star winner and runner-up now in consecutive years, could not quite hold out Tom Kitten, expertly handled by jockey Ben Melham, in the driving finish.
Light Infantry Man, a $31 outsider, placed third to stamp Australian Cup aspirations, while desperately unlucky Another Wil ran fourth.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Another Wil travelled sweetly behind the leader but jockey Craig Williams moved up on Mr Brightside to hold the second favourite in a pocket at the top of the straight.
Jockey Jamie Melham tried to work into clear air but lost momentum at the 150m as Another Wil clipped heels and blundered.
Another Wil pulled up with an internal bleed, which may have also affected the performance.
Tom Kitten watched the race unfold in front of him and chimed in with purpose at the 100m.
The Harry Angel gelding, trained by James Cummings, flipped the script on Mr Brightside after a narrow defeat in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) last start.
Tom Kitten is an All-Star! âï¸ pic.twitter.com/R4nABv7QSf
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 8, 2025
“He was obviously very unlucky the other day,” Ben Melham said.
“In another hop he probably beats Mr Brightside (last start). He had the cheaper run and he has probably bounced out of it better.
• What the jockeys said: G1 All-Star Mile
“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.
“I know he’s got a bit of a bad rap but he’s run a lot of good races … into stiff competition.”
“For him to put another big one on the mantelpiece is a great effort by the horse and the stable.”
Tom Kitten won the Group 1 Spring Champion in 2023, but could not quite go on with the job.
He raced consistently without major success.
Godolphin’s Melbourne foreman Nacim Dilmi lauded the winner’s performance.
“He’s got a lot of ability,” Dilmi said.
“He’s had many luckless races … 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, 2000m and he’ll put in another good fight.”
Dilmi paid respect to runner-up Mr Brightside.
“Never underestimate Mr Brightside,” Dilmi said.
“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.
“He sure did all the way to the end.”
Originally published as Tom Kitten pounces to beat Mr Brightside in thrilling All-Star Mile at Flemington
Monday Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow, forgive at Flemington
Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s Monday Racebook — horses to follow and forgive out of Super Saturday at Flemington.
Athletes or the boardroom? Which women really wield power in sport
Women hold some of the most powerful positions in Australian sport - and boast some of the country’s most recognisable athletes. But who really holds the power?