Godolphin trainer James Cummings says the team in Perth overseeing the preparation of It’s Somewhat couldn’t be happier with the gelding ahead of the Kingston Town Stakes.
Drawing barrier 11 in Saturday’s final Group One race of the year, It’s Somewhat has been specifically targeted at the Ascot race by Godolphin.
The winner of the Doncaster Mile and Hollindale Cup last autumn, It’s Somewhat had three runs in Melbourne during the spring.
After finishing third in the Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley It’s Somewhat ran third behind Tosen Stardom in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on November 11 before being dispatched to Perth nine days later with a plane load of eastern states gallopers.
It’s Somewhat showed he was on target for the 2017 Kingston Town Classic winning a 1200m trial at Belmont on November 27.
“He’s really been targeted at this race for the entire campaign and we feel that he’s building up to his peak for this preparation,” Cummings said.
“He achieved a good result with his third in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington and the space between runs coming into this suits him, as he’s proved in the past.
“He gets his opportunity here coming back to nine furlongs which is a distance he won over at weight-for-age in the Hollindale Stakes and the team in Perth are really happy with the way he’s settled in.”
Brenton Avdulla, who rode It’s Somewhat at his last start, takes the ride on Saturday and is the $4.60 second favourite to claim a second Group One victory.
Black Heart Bart, a narrow second in the Railway Stakes on November 25, firmed to $3.30 favouritism after drawing barrier one on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained Tom Melbourne, third in the Railway, is at $8 to win for the first time at Group One level and with Perfect Jewel ($7) the only other runners under double figures.
