Godolphin’s Tom Kitten has finally lived up to his potential, winning the Group 1 All-Star Mile at Flemington.

A promising two-year-old, Tom Kitten won the Listed Fernhill Stakes and the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes as a three-year-old. However, after a winless autumn campaign, he was gelded.

After a solid return last spring, he finally delivered his first win since then on Saturday. Ridden by Ben Melham, Tom Kitten ($4.60) narrowly defeated the $2.70 favourite Mr Brightside by a short-half-head, with Light Infantry Man ($26) third.

Trainer James Cummings had predicted a strong preparation, and Melham confirmed the gelding’s return to top form after an unlucky run in the Futurity Stakes.

“We knew he was in for a good prep, and he sure has,” said Godolphin’s Nacim Dilmi, with the Australian Cup at Flemington next on the agenda.