3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes after Tom Kitten takes out the Group 2 CMNL Up and Coming Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Tom Kitten (J Cummings/N Rawiller) - $11
2nd: Kintyre (G Portelli/D Gibbons) - $21
3rd: Encap (G Portelli/B Prebble) - $11

Winning Time: 1:16.00 Last 600m: 34.29

Margins: Long Head x ½L

Tom Kitten digs his claws in and snatches The Up and Coming Stakes from Kintyre!@nashhot with a very strong ride to secure the Group 3 win for @JamesCummings88 and @godolphin. pic.twitter.com/LgPeM175WI

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 26, 2023

Winning Trainer: James Cummings

On the win: "That is an exceptional win first up. It is not entirely surprising that he throws up a PB first up in his second prep but to give upwards of four and five kilos to these horses is a special performance and a very promising platform for the rest of the spring."

On his development: "It is not easy for a two-year-old to win over a mile at Group level. We did train him for it but that he was able to stretch out over that trip in the Autumn shows the natural stamina that he has got. He is a very interesting horse. I was thinking a couple of weeks ago that he has Spring Champion written all over him. He could have other races on the way there as well. We will hear what Nash has to say about that."

On the breed: "To think that a Harry Angel has won the Up And Coming and he has had one in the Vain last week when one of his progeny nearly knocked off Cylinder. Tom Kitten is a raw horse who has improved vastly."

"We will make sure that he is still in the (Golden Rose) noms. It's a month away. We will keep those races in mind. He probably has got a bit to do to convince me that he is going to be quick enough at seven against those horses but you never know. High pressure at seven furlongs can throw up some interesting things."

Winning Jockey: Nash Rawiller

On the win: "It is exciting to get on him. After riding him through last prep I was thinking we might have a nice horse and going round to the gates today I thought we've got a horse."

On the effort: "We had plans to ride for luck in the run, with the big weight, try and save ground, ride for the better part of the track. I straightened up and had a look, and it was like trying to park a bus in George Street."

On the future: "He's a horse you will never find the bottom off. He has gears. When you have had a bit to do with them as a young horse and they come back it is pretty exciting."

Beaten Jockeys:

Tom Sherry (Cafe Millenium): "Good run. Would probably appreciate a bit more tempo and bigger track. But he worked home well."

James McDonald (Caballus): "Probably just come to the end of it a little bit."

Dylan Gibbons (Kintyre): "Ended up in a lovely spot from the gate. It was a bit sickening to go down."

Jason Collett (Manwe): "He did a bit wrong today. He's a raw type still with a lot more to learn."

Robbie Dolan (Ducasse): "He's a very decent colt. Didn't have a lot of luck up the running. He's going to be in for a good prep."

Brett Prebble (Encap): "He just learning. He's got a good little engine there. He'll put it all together soon."

Kerrin McEvoy (Tutta La Vita): "Nice run there. She got organised the last furlong and stayed on so she feels as though out in trip will see her improve a bit more."

Tyler Schiller (Griff): "I thought he was terrific. He is probably a better chaser. He has done a really good job to let down today."

Tim Clark (Les Vampires): "He ran really well. Just might be a bit early for him still yet."

Jay Ford (Hasty Honey): "She ran quite well. She lacked the race craft of some of the others. Her best work was late. She will appreciate getting out to the mile."