It’s Somewhat to spearhead Godolphin’s winter charge in Hollindale Stakes

WITH Hauraki cooling his heels in the paddock, It’s Somewhat is poised to exact revenge in the feature WFA races for Godolphin this carnival, starting with the Hollindale Stakes.

It's Somewhat ridden by Zac Purton wins The Star Doncaster Mile race during The Championships Day 1 at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Saturday, April 1, 2017. (AAP Image/David Moir) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

WITH stablemate Hauraki cooling his heels in the paddock, It’s Somewhat is poised to exact revenge in the feature weight-for-age races for Godolphin this carnival, starting with Saturday’s Group 2 Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast.

Hauraki was runner-up in both the Hollindale and Doomben Cup last year and was being set for the Queensland carnival again, but the stable opted to spell him due to “a few niggling issues”.

TOP TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

It’s Somewhat was just behind Hauraki last year, but brings more imposing credentials 12 months on, being a last-start winner of the $3 million Doncaster Mile.

With speculation still hovering over the future of who will head Godolphin’s training regime in the absence of John O’Shea, assistant trainer Darren Beadman has stepped into the spokesman role this week.

It's Somewhat has ‘done super’ since his upset win in the Doncaster Mile at Randwick.

“John was able to put him into the Doncaster with only one run under his belt, gave him a light preparation and it paid dividends,” Beadman said. “A few things John did differently with him this time took him to another level.

“It’s been good having that little time off where he’s been able to freshen up and go again. He’s done super since the Doncaster.”

It’s Somewhat is a warm favourite for the Hollindale and Godolphin have several leading hopes at the Coast including Regent (Ken Russell), Federal (PM’s Cup) and Tessera (Guineas).

“Tessera was in our top few two-year-olds,” Beadman said. “He had a few little setbacks and never got into any rhythm, but his first-up run was a beauty after a good lay-off.

“He was probably on the wrong part of the track and he got left in front a bit too far from home and to his credit he kicked back and only went down by a small margin. The form out of Regent’s debut win is pretty good. I think it might turn out to be a hot little race.

Godolphin assistant trainer Darren Beadman is happy with the stable’s Queensland carnival contenders. Picture: Jenny Evans

“He has always galloped well on the track of a morning. He blew the start at his debut, which was probably a blessing in disguise, and he was given a lovely ride by Tye (Angland) after that.”

Godolphin filly Raiment was an early Stradbroke favourite in some markets, but was not among nominations on Wednesday. Instead, she will stick to a fillies and mares path, just as Godolphin did with Ghisoni last year.

“We’ve got other horses for the Straddy, including Impending, Old North and Morton’s Fork, so we thought it would be good to keep her to her own sex,” Beadman said.

Originally published as It’s Somewhat to spearhead Godolphin’s winter charge in Hollindale Stakes