Godolphin pair have conditions to suit in G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup

The return to weight-for-age conditions could prove vital for Duca Valentinois when he runs in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup at Doomben on Saturday, a race in which his main opposition could come from Godolphin stablemate It’s Somewhat.

Trainer James Cummings had trouble splitting the two as he assessed their prospects following a barrier draw which placed them alongside each other in the two inside gates.

Duca Valentinois (Glyn Schofield) comes to the Doomben race off a courageous second under topweight in the Scone Cup two weeks ago.

The effort convinced Cummings the imported galloper was back to his best, an opinion that hasn’t changed in the days since.

“He’s far better suited at weight-for-age and it’s also a race that he ran well in last year, so I think that with a very similar form profile, he can produce another good run,” he said.

“Unfortunately he’s going to have to take on his very well-credentialled stablemate It’s Somewhat who is also perfectly placed under these conditions.”

It’s Somewhat (Tim Clark) had been due to run in last week’s G1 Doomben Cup but was found to have a slightly raised temperature which kept him out of the race.

But he has made a full recovery and will have a gear change on Saturday.

“We’ve gone for blinkers with him because we think he might just need something to kick him into gear,” Cummings said.

The leading pair will be joined in the Lord Mayor’s Cup by stable companion Spectroscope.

“His stablemates look better suited than him, he’s not quite in the same form as them, but we know if we keep giving him the opportunity he can be competitive,” Cummings said.