It’s Somewhat Easily Wins Craven Plate

It’s Somewhat has returned to winning form in dominant fashion at Randwick this afternoon; jogging clear in the final straight to take out the Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m).

It's Somewhat was barely tested in the Group 3 Craven Plate this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart

It’s Somewhat was barely tested in the Group 3 Craven Plate this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart

Only four horses lined up for the Craven Plate following scratchings, but jockey James McDonald still elected to be positive on It’s Somewhat and took up a position on the heels of leader Slow Pace from the outset.

Settling into a good rhythm over the back straight and receiving an ideal run in transit, McDonald allowed the Dynaformer gelding to spool up rounding the home bend and pressed forward to the lead with 400m to run.

Producing a typically strong turn of foot as he hugged the rails, It’s Somewhat found no issue pulling away from his rivals and opened a gap of more than five lengths by the time he found the line.

Spiritjim and Pinstripe Lane rounded out the minors, while Slow Pace tailed off the 2016 Craven Plate field.

McDonald was pleased with the performance mustered by It’s Somewhat this afternoon, and likened the dominance of his win to those produced by stable mate Hartnell this time in.

“I used my brains a little bit, but there wasn’t a lot of exercise involved,” McDonald said after the Craven Plate.

“He’s another horse that obviously arrived from Europe and had a good preparation but then went off the boil.

“He’s come back a bit like Hartnell this time.”

It’s Somewhat began his racing career under the guidance of notable British trainer Mark Johnston, and immediately stamped himself as one to watch when he arrived in Australia for success in the 2015 edition of the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m).

Having returned to racing this time for fourth in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m), It’s Somewhat finished a brave third behind Winx in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago, in what was his only other start prior to the Craven Plate.

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.