Doncaster triumph proves Somewhat of a surprise for O’Shea

AS It’s Somewhat started to open up a lead, his trainer John O’Shea didn’t know what to think.

“We had been having a pretty ordinary day to be fair,’’ the Godolphin trainer said.

“I was watching the race with Daz (Darren Beadman) and when he shot clear we looked at each other and thought should we cheer yet.’’

O’Shea and Beadman then broke out in a chorus of cheering as It’s Somewhat managed a rare feat of leading throughout to win the Group 1 $3 million The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick yesterday.

It’s Somewhat ($31) gave O’Shea a third Doncaster win when he held off a gallant Happy Clapper ($7) by a half length with Sense Of Occasion ($61) more than three lengths away third.

Favourite Le Romain ($4.80) did strike trouble at the top of the straight but still produced an out-of-character ef- fort to finish only 15th,.

O’Shea had won the Doncaster with his champions Private Steer (2004) and Racing To Win (2006) but It’s Somewhat’s effort was an unexpected triumph.

“It’s Somewhat had a good preparation going into the race and we felt on his work this week that he was a genuine top four chance,’’ O’Shea said.

“But this is a Doncaster – they are not easy to win. We knew It’s Somewhat was very fit, he could lead and get through the ground, and he’s a tough horse.’’

Zac Purton, the expatriate jockey who know calls Hong Kong home, rated It’s Somewhat perfectly in front to claim his second Doncaster after his 2014 win on Sacred Falls.

“These are great races to win and luckily enough the boys prepared the horse really well for me and he’s done the rest. It was a good tough effort,’’ Purton said.

O’Shea said It’s Somewhat could spearhead his Brisbane winter carnival assault.