Somewhat settled
JAMES Cummings is confident It’s Somewhat’s awkward draw will not affect his chances in Saturday’s Kingston Town Classic, saying the horse is in “peak condition” for the last Group 1 of the calendar year.
The Godolphin trainer said the seven-year-old gelding, who will jump from barrier 11, had thrived since arriving in Perth, following his third in the Emirates Stakes last month.
“He is in really good nick,” Cummings said.
“He has really been targeted at this race for the entire campaign and we feel that he’s building up to his peak for this preparation.
“He gets his opportunity here coming back to nine furlongs (1800m), which is a distance he won over at weightfor-age in the Hollindale Stakes last winter.”
It’s Somewhat is the second elect with UBET $5 in Saturday’s race at Ascot, with Darren Weir’s Black Heart Bart $3.20 favourite following his narrow defeat in the Railway Stakes a fortnight ago.
Cummings acknowledged Black Heart Bart was the horse to beat but was buoyed by It’s Somewhat’s solid tuneup trial win over 1200m at Belmont, saying the horse was primed to run well.
“Black Heart Bart has done battle with (Godolphin’s) Hartnell plenty of times, so his stable has him back in great form, and we are taking on an interesting mix of three-year-olds Cummings said.
“(But) our team in Perth are really happy with the way (It’s Somewhat) has settled in.” as well,”