RACING Somewhat confident
JAMES Cummings is confident It’s Somewhat’s awkward draw won’t 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, has thrived since arriving in Perth, following his third in the Emirates Stakes last month.
“He is in really good nick; 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,” Cummings said.
“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 $ 4.60 second elect in the Ascot race, with Darren Weir’s Black Hart Bart $ 3.20 favourite following his narrow loss in the Winterbottom Stakes a fortnight ago.
Cummings acknowledged Black Hart Bart was the horse to beat, but was buoyed by It’s Somewhat’s solid tune- up trial win over 1200m at Belmont last Monday week, saying the horse is primed to run well.
“Black Hart 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- yearolds as well,” he said.
“( But) our team in Perth are really happy with the way ( It’s Somewhat) has settled in.”
It’s Somewhat ran third to Tosen Stardom in the Emirates Stakes ( 2000m) on the final day of the Flemington Carnival, beaten less than two lengths.
“He needed to run well for us ( in the Emirates) to be sure he was going the right way,” he said. “He has got that form under his belt now. He is a Doncaster ( Handicap) winner at his last preparation and he won at weight- for- age next start. He is going to have to run up to his best, but we think we have got the horse right where we want him.”
VR