It’s Somewhat ready for repeat Gold Coast Victory

Winning form at the course and distance and improved fitness have It’s Somewhat ready to add to his impressive Australian record in Saturday’s G2 Hollindale Stakes at Queensland’s Gold Coast.

While he ranks as one of Godolphin’s more consistent Australian gallopers, It’s Somewhat (Damian Browne) comes to the Hollindale without a victory since winning the same race 12 months ago.

But trainer James Cummings is satisfied the seven-year-old is ready to bounce back to form.

“He is going to be second-up after having a good blow out in the All Aged Stakes at Randwick where we thought he was excellent over the concluding stages,” Cummings said.

“He looks like he has improved, but what he is really going to enjoy is getting into his rhythm over nine furlongs.”

A placegetter in one of England’s best middle-distance races, the G1 Eclipse Stakes, It’s Somewhat’s seven local wins include Australia’s best mile race, the G1 Doncaster Handicap.

Since winning that race 12 months ago his record includes placings in the G1 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington and the G2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley last spring. His last start sixth, only three lengths behind Trapeze Artist in the G1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick was also full of merit.

At Morphettville in Adelaide the three-year-olds Viridine and Isaurian are also seeking G2 success in the Euclase Stakes.

Viridine (Kerrin McEvoy) comes to the race after a luckless eighth of nine behind Catchy at G2 level at Randwick two weeks ago.

“He’s in really good shape after an energy conserving run last time in the Arrowfield Stakes,” Cummings said.

“The colt is really strong and feeling good and by no means is he looking anywhere near the end of his preparation.”

Viridine is joined in the Euclase by Isaurian (Mark Zahra) who has performed well at Listed level at his past two, the latest when a close fifth in the Listed South Pacific Classic at Randwick.

“Not only will Viridine be a great chance, but with the sort of turn of foot that Isaurian has, they will be two colts acquitting themselves very well in a high-class race,” Cummings said.”

The weekend Stakes line-up is completed by Tally in Friday’s Listed Wagga Gold Cup, Moher and Nozomi in Saturday’s Listed Gold Coast Cup and Marble in the G3 Gold Coast Guineas.