It's Somewhat lines up in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes
A strong finish by It’s Somewhat at his first-up run has the powerful Godolphin stable confident the gelding can become the fourth horse to win back-to-back Group Two Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast.
Saturday’s Hollindale (1800m) is a traditional forerunner to the Group One events in the winter carnival and has been won in consecutive years by Rough Habit (1991-92), Shogun Lodge (2000-01) and Leebaz (2015-16).
Goldolphin started the winter carnival in style with a Doomben double last Saturday including the Group Two Victory Stakes with Impending.
Trainer James Cummings is growing in confidence the stable can be a major player in three feature races at the Gold Coast led by It’s Somewhat in the Hollindale, Marble in the Gold Coast Guineas and Moher in the Gold Coast Cup.
The winner of the 2017 Doncaster Mile, It’s Somewhat won the Hollindale last year as a $2.30 chance and will again be among the favourites on Saturday.
“It’s Somewhat is going to be second-up after having a good blow-out in the All Aged Stakes at Randwick where we thought he was excellent over the concluding stages,” Cummings said.
“He looks like he has improved a fraction off his run but he is really going to enjoy getting into his rhythm over 1800 metres and should enjoy the conditions of the race.”
“Hopefully he continues to improve throughout this preparation but we certainly feel like he is going to be ready to run very well second-up”
Godolphin will also have Moher in the Listed Gold Coast Cup (1400m) and Cummings is expecting him to improve on his first-up run when seventh at Randwick on April 21.
“He enjoyed a good break after a winning preparation last time and appeared to need the blow-out over seven furlongs at Randwick,” Cummings said.
He is looking for a strong effort from Marble in the Group Three Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) after the horse was unlucky first-up at Doomben.
“He is a colt with plenty of speed about him who will enjoy a strong pace and we last saw him luckless and finishing off hard at Doomben over 1050 metres when severely checked a couple of times in the run,” Cummings said.
“He is an interesting runner having his first attempt at a Group race and we feel like he will acquit himself very well”
