It's Somewhat & Hopefully Sweynesse Bid For Doncaster Mile

It's Somewhat and hopefully Sweynesse represent Godolphin in the Group One The Star 150th Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick, Australia, on Saturday, April 4.

Time/Date - 17.10hrs local time/Saturday, April 4, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Royal Randwick/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m

It's Somewhat and hopefully Sweynesse represent Godolphin in the Group One The Star 150th Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick, Australia, on Saturday, April 4.

Four-year-old It's Somewhat (John O'Shea/Craig Williams) steps back up in distance following two appearances over shorter, most recently when ninth over an extended seven furlongs in the Group One George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.

He posted a decisive win on his Australian debut in the extended six-furlong Group Three Liverpool City Cup at Warwick Farm on February 28 and raced over further in the UK last year, headed by a fine third in the 10-furlong G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park.

Sweynesse (John O'Shea/Sam Clipperton) makes a third consecutive start at Group One level after finishing fourth in the 10-furlong SKY Racing Rosehill Guineas at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 and second to Hallowed Crown in the mile Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas at Royal Randwick on March 7.

He was also second to Hallowed Crown in the Group Two Blackwoods CRC Hobartville Stakes over seven furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on February 21, and came home a close eighth in the 10-furlong Group One Sportingbet Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 25.

The son of Lonhro came third over the same trip in the Group One Moet & Chandon Spring Champion at Royal Randwick on October 11 and started his career with four straight victories including a pair of Group Three wins.

John O'Shea said: "It was a little disappointing to see where It's Somewhat finished on his last start but I thought he had genuine excuses at weight-for-age on firm ground and a wide run.

"This week he gets handicap conditions where he will carry 52 kgs in a Group One on rain-affected ground and is out to the mile which is a more suitable distance.

"The form around him is good and he is coming out of the George Ryder Stakes which has traditionally been a very good lead-up race for the Doncaster Mile. I believe he presents into this race with a lovely live chance.

"Sweynesse had a few complications going into the Rosehill Guineas, which probably compromised his finishing position, but has had an impeccable preparation going into the Doncaster.

"He finally gets ground that suits him with a little bit of fire out of it and gate seven which is a fantastic barrier draw for him plus getting back to his preferred distance of the mile at Randwick.

"There is a lot to like about him carrying 50 kgs and I couldn't be happier with him."

It's Somewhat and Sweynesse take on 18 others including Hallowed Crown and Group One George Ryder Stakes winner Real Impact, plus fellow Group One scorers Suavito and Plucky Belle.