Avdulla heads west for first Ascot rides

Sydney-based jockey Brenton Avdulla is heading west to ride at Ascot for the first time with one of the favourites in the final Australian Group One race of the year among his mounts.

Avdulla will ride the $5.50 second favourite It’s Somewhat in the Kingston Town Classic (1800m) on Saturday.

The James Cummings trained seven-year-old gelding has drawn barrier 11, while Black Heart Bart firmed to $2.90 favourite after drawing barrier one.

“I’ll probably need a little bit of luck from the gate, but he’s obviously a live chance I think,” Avdulla said.

“Black Heart Bart is the one to beat.”

Avdulla rode It’s Somewhat in his last start, finishing third in the 2000m Group One Emirates Stakes during Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington.

The gelding showed he was on target for Saturday’s Kingston Town, winning a 1200m trial at Belmont on November 27.

It’s Somewhat won the Doncaster Mile and Hollindale Cup last autumn and finished third in the Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley before his Emirates Stakes minor placing behind Tosen Stardom at Flemington on November 11.

Avdulla lands in Perth on Friday and he will ride in two races before the Kingston Town Classic to learn about the vagaries of the racetrack.

His book includes It’s Somewhat’s stable companion Gaulois in the Listed Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Stakes.

Gaulois has had one Perth start for a fourth placing from a wide barrier in the Group Two WA Guineas at Ascot on November 25.

“Hopefully we can get a result,” Avdulla said.

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