- Tom Kitten won Group 1 in emphatic fashion at Royal Randwick
- Classy colt took lead in the home straight, never looked troubled
- Jockey Adam Hyeronimus rewarded for patient ride on favourite
- Espiona then claimed The Invitation in a thrilling finish over 1400m
Tom Kitten has won the Group 1 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes at Royal Randwick in convincing fashion over 2000m.
Jockey Adam Hyeronimus produced a patient ride, and once the promising Godolphin colt took the lead in the home straight, the $2.40 favourite was never going to be troubled.
The hoop also collected $1.15million in prizemoney after comfortably saluting.
Remarkably, it was the 41st Group 1 success for James Cummings and the third for Hyeronimus.
Cummings also would have been relieved given Tom Kitten had been luckless in his three previous runs – but when it mattered, he delivered in grand style.
Adam Hyeronimus looked calm ahead of riding the favourite Tom Kitten in the Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes – he then showed his class in the Group 1 race
Once Adam Hyeronimus took the lead in the home straight, there was only going to be one winner (the hoop is pictured, after his impressive run)
Eager punters were seen strolling through the gates from 12pm before enjoying the Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day
When it came to the minor placings, the Chris Waller trained Cap Ferrat ($3.70) finished second, with Ganbare ($3.50) in third spot.
Previous winners of the prestigious Spring Champion Stakes include the highly regarded Kiwi Sharp ’N’ Smart and Profondo, in what was just his third career start back in 2021.
On Saturday, eager punters were spotted making their way through the gates in Sydney‘s east from 12pm, with the first race – the Midway Handicap – at 12.30pm over 1100m.
Kiwi sprinter Eye Pea Oh set the tone early for star jockey Jason Collett, who also rode Tutta La Vita in the main race at 4pm ahead of The Invitation at 4.45pm.
Bookies favourite Kerrin McEvoy won The Invitation over 1400m on board Espiona, shading the desperately unlucky Ruthless Dame ($4), with Magic Time ($1.50) in third.
McEvoy has now won The Invitation three times, which carried a prize purse of $2million – including $1million to Espiona’s connections.
