It’s Somewhat among Cup day chances at Caulfield

The return to form of the talented Godolphin pair It’s Somewhat and Nozomi has set up an intriguing contest on an impressive Caulfield Cup undercard on Saturday, October 15.

Both horses had been searching for their best form before scoring last start victories that both are capable of repeating.

It’s Somewhat (John O’Shea/Hugh Bowman) dominated a small field in the G3 Craven Plate at Randwick two weeks ago, winning by almost five lengths and claiming his fourth Australian victory and the sixth of his career.

On the same day at Caulfield, Nozomi (Lee and Anthony Freedman/Kerrin McEvoy) showed he had recovered from a career-threatening injury suffered when he finished third in the 2014 G1 Victoria Derby.

O’Shea is confident It’s Somewhat has conditions to suit.

“I think it’s a wonderful race for him,” O’Shea said.

“I like where he’s drawn, I think there’s good speed and he can roll forward and maintain his momentum.

“It was only a small field last time but I think he would have taken a lot of beating no matter what he was up against.”

For Freedman, Nozomi’s last-start win came as a relief after the horse had spent more than a year recuperating form an injury sustained on the way to his Derby placing.

“We’ve taken him along very slowly and carefully and it’s a great relief to have him sound and racing well,” Lee Freedman said.

“He came through his last run without any problem and we’re looking forward to him going on with it.”

On a day when the local hope Tally and the UK visitor Scottish carry the royal blue silks in the G1 feature, the Caulfield Cup, Godolphin has strong prospects in at least four more Stakes races.

In the G2 Tristarc Stakes the capable filly Pearls (John O’Shea/Brenton Avdulla) looks capable of again finishing in the placings after her good third to Tycoon Tara and Dixie Blossoms in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill.

She meets Tycoon Tara again in the Tristarc, as well as First Seal who finished behind Pearls at Rosehill, but who has a G1 victory over Australia’s champion racehorse Winx to her credit.

“She’s going great - that Sydney mare’s form is very strong, she’s just got to adapt to Caulfield,” O’Shea said.

In the G3 Caulfield Classic the promising Kent (John O’Shea/Craig Williams) has the chance to earn himself a Victoria Derby start.

An eye-catching fifth over 1800m at Flemington at his most recent outing, Kent looks well-suited by the extra 200m here.

“It was a very good run the other day. He’s drawn an awkward gate on Saturday so we’ll probably ride him conservatively,” O’Shea said.

“He’s just got to make sure he gets on the right leg. If he does that he’ll be very strong late.”

The Godolphin contingent also includes the progressive trio of Trenchant (John O’Shea/Craig Williams), Morton’s Fork (John O’Shea/Brenton Avdulla) and Peacock (John O’Shea/Dwayne Dunn) in he Listed Gothic Stakes.

And in the Listed Alinghi Stakes the stable is represented by Alucinari (John O’Shea/Brenton Avdulla) and Estaminet (Lee and Anthony Freedman/Damian Lane)

At Randwick in Sydney Fitou (John O’Shea/Tim Clark) runs in the G3 Nivison, heading a team including Souchez (John O’Shea/Tim Clark) in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes with the same trainer-jockey combination linking up with Sarajevo in the Listed Tattersall’s Lightning Stakes.

Alegria (John O’Shea/Christian Reith) completes the line-up in the Listed Tattersall’s Club Cup.