Beadman has It’s Somewhat primed for Doomben Cup

Former champion jockey Darren Beadman will complete a dream honeymoon period as head trainer for the massive Godolphin racing empire in Australia if It’s Somewhat can win the Group 1 $650,000 Hardy Brothers Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday.

It's Somewhat, above, is primed to give Darren Beadman his first G1 win as a trainer in the Doomben Cup at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.

It’s Somewhat, above, is primed to give Darren Beadman his first G1 win as a trainer in the Doomben Cup at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.

Beadman has already saddled up eight winners since taking over the reins from John O’Shea on May 7 but a Group 1 win on Saturday would be the icing on the cake.

It’s Somewhat is racing in outstanding form with wins from his last three starts and can make it two Group 1 wins from his last four outings if he can claim the trophy for the Doomben Cup this weekend.

The six year old English import is coming off a last start win in the Group 2 $358,000 Attwood Marshall A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 6 on O’Shea last day at the Godolphin helm and Beadman said that he has him cherry ripe for the weight for age Doomben Cup.

“He went into the Doncaster off a light preparation and we’ve just had to keep him ticking over,” Beadman told The Courier-Mail.

“He’s spot on for this weekend.”

It’s Somewhat finished third in last year’s Doomben Cup behind Our Ivanhowe and Hauraki and collected his first Group 1 trophy two starts back with an all the way win in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 1, day one of ‘The Championships.

It’s Somewhat is sharing the early Doomben Cup favouritism with the Darren Weir trained Articus at $4.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of Sense Of Occasion and Single Gaze at $7.

Articus has hit form at the right time and will head to Brisbane after winning the $100,000 Chairman’s Club Handicap (1800m) at Flemington on May 6.

Early market order for the Doomben Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.50 Articus, It’s Somewhat, $7 Sense Of Occasion, Single Gaze, $8 Star Exhibit, $11 Amelie’s Star, Benzini, McCreery, $13 Maurus, $15 Preferment, Vanbrugh, $17 Life Is Ordinary, Mime, Ventura Storm, $21 Cylinder Beach, Sons Of John, $26 Astronomos, Rudy, $34 or better the rest.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.