It’s Somewhat wins Gr 3 Neville Sellwood
It’s Somewhat’s victory in the Neville Sellwood Stakes showed John O’Shea the import can win a Doomben Cup.
But first a start in the world’s richest 2000m turf race beckons.
It’s Somewhat will try to follow in the footsteps of last year’s Neville Sellwood winner Pornichet, who went on to score a dominant win in the Doomben Cup.
Before Brisbane, Godolphin trainer O’Shea said he was leaning towards running the horse in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 9.
“Ideally his level is at Doomben but we’ve got to run him somewhere along the way,” O’Shea said.
O’Shea said Queen Elizabeth would not be merely a lead up run if It’s Somewhat gets suitable conditions.
“If we can get him on the wet ground in the Queen Elizabeth I think that’ll be his chance to win,” O’Shea said.
“The key to the Queen Elizabeth is (winners) tend to lead and that’s where he’s best placed.
“Most of the weight-for-age races in Australia this year have been trot and canters and he’s a horse that will bowl along on the speed.”
Starting favourite, It’s Somewhat ($1.90) narrowly held off a spirited performance from the leader Messene ($5.50) with Sir John Hawkwood ($8) third.
“They made us work all the way. That’ll toughen him up,” O’Shea said.
Godolphin’s other runner in the race, Metropolitan winner Magic Hurricane, finished sixth.
O’Shea said Magic Hurricane was struggling on firm tracks and would be sent for a spell.
“I think we’ll just pull up on him and give him a break and come back in the spring when we know the tracks are always a bit softer,” O’Shea said.