Dubai: Team Godolphin appear to have solid all-round chances on day two of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival at Randwick Racecourse on Saturday, with Hauraki and It’s Somewhat forging a two-pronged assault on the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, the showpiece race of the day.
John O’Shea, the Dubai-owned stable’s Australian-based handler, reports that both contenders have done what’s been asked of them during their preparations and are ready to deliver a big run in the A$4million (Dh11.1 million) contest.
Hauraki has been staking a legitimate claim to become the outfit’s flag-bearer and a strong performance on Saturday will help cement his position at the top of the pecking order.
“Hauraki is absolutely flying at the moment,” O’Shea told the Godolphin website. “He’s going as well as we’ve seen him go.
“I thought he was marginally unlucky last start and before that he’d run two great races behind Winx (non-runner) and we know how good she is.”
On his most recent start in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill, Hauraki finished a good second behind The United States, who he faces again on Saturday.
He will be ridden by Godolphin retained rider James McDonald.
Previously trained by Mark Johnston in the UK, It’s Somewhat is seeking a hat-trick of wins at the track and O’Shea issued an upbeat bulletin.
“He’s never looked better,” O’Shea said. “He’s a horse who can make his own luck and he’s in the best form he’s been since he came here.”
The son of Dynaformer won the Group 3 Neville Sellwood stakes at Rosehill over the same 2,000 metre trip as the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Sam Clipperton takes the ride.
The fact that Winx, who is unbeaten in her last nine starts, will miss Saturday’s race makes it a more open affair with the Godolphin duo holding strong claims together with Victoria Derby winner Preferment.
Godolphin are also represented by Ambience in the Group 1 Australian Oaks on an glittering card that features a total of four Group One contests.
A Stakes winner at both Group 2 and Group 3 level, Ambience is held in high regard by O’Shea, who said: “She’s shown she can be competitive in this class and at this distance, which is relevant for young fillies.”
Meanwhile, James McDonald rides the Chris Waller-trained Grand Marshal, who is looking to become the first back-to-back winner of the A$2million Sydney Cup (3200 metres) winner since Tie The Knot (1998-99).
Almoonqith, an experienced six-year-old stayer by Dynaformer, carries the hopes of leading UAE owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry.
The Sydney Autumn Carnival is a major racing series held in Sydney in March and April each year. It consists of six weeks of high-quality racing at the city’s two primary racecourses — Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens.
