Godolphin Trio Launches Queensland Campaign In Hollindale

An Autumn spent mixing it with one of the world's highest-rated racehorses is set to turn into a Winter in which Hauraki can establish his own credentials, beginning with the G2 Hollindale Cup at the Queensland Gold Coast track on Saturday, May 7.

Hauraki (John O'Shea/James McDonald) heads a powerful Godolphin line-up in the Hollindale in which he will be joined by stablemates It's Somewhat (Damian Browne) and Old North (Tim Clark).

Hauraki is a young stayer who showed his potential when a close second to Mongolian Khan in the G1 Australian Derby 12 months ago.

The son of Reset subsequently ran up to that form this season, chasing home the exceptional mare Winx in his first two runs back, then running second in the G1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill before finishing seventh to Lucia Valentina in the showpiece of the Sydney Autumn, the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

"His rider reported that he didn't appreciate the wet track at all in the Queen Elizabeth, so I'm prepared to overlook that run," said trainer John O'Shea.

"He's drawn better on Saturday and he should get the chance to be ridden how he likes it."

It's Somewhat finished just ahead of Hauraki in the G1 Queen Elizabeth, having won his previous two starts, both in Group company.

"The way it turned out, he had to work hard for a long way and it told on him at the end," O'Shea said.

"He'll come here nice and fresh for the 1800 metres and he's capable of running a good race."

The trio is completed by Old North, another who emerged from the Sydney Autumn with his reputation enhanced.

The son of Lonhro stepped up to Group company with a dominant victory in the G2 Tulloch Stakes and was then second to He's Our Rokkii in the G2 Packer Plate.

"He just found one a bit better last time out, but still ran very well," O'Shea said.

"Since then he's shown that he took no harm from the run and has pleased us at home, so he'll get his chance with the nice weight pull he receives as a three-year-old against older horses."

The Queensland team for Saturday is completed by the impressive two-year-old Impending in the G3 Ken Russell Memorial and the fillies Circular and Montignac in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet.