It’s Somewhat enjoyed an all-too-easy win beating home just three rivals as the odds-on favourite in the Craven Plate 2016 on Epsom Handicap Day at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

It’s Somewhat takes out the 2016 Craven Plate as the odds-on favourite at Epsom Handicap Day. Photo: Steve Hart.

After three early scratchings from the $150,000 Group 3 APN Outdoor Craven Plate (2000m) field, just four runners took to the track for the weight-for-age showdown.

Coming off a brave third to superstar mare Winx in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at the track a fortnight back, all the money for the Craven Plate was on the John O’Shea-trained Dyanformer six-year-old It’s Somewhat.

The classy import didn’t disappoint and cruised home for a big win at the short odds to break his Randwick maiden at his eighth run at the track.

James McDonald replaced Tim Clark in the saddle of the galloper third-up in the Craven Plate and he settled beautifully in second behind the out and out leader Slow Pace who set a moderate pace up front.

It’s Somewhat stalked the leader on the rails, while the Chris Waller-trained French stallion Spiritjim tracked third in just his fourth run down under.

Rounding out the running was the outsider in betting the Leon & Troy Corstens-trained Pinstripe Lane on the fence inside of Spiritjim.

Slow Pace got out to a strong lead down the back, but as they approached the turn for home the jockeys began to make their moves on the backmarkers.

McDonald soon got moving on It’s Somewhat who headed off Slow Pace coming around the bend and led into the straight on the fence.

He was far too good for the rest of the field, Spiritjim simply no match completely outsprinted by the Craven Plate winner.

By the winning post It’s Somewhat ($1.50) had around five lengths to spare over Waller’s Galileo seven-year-old Spiritjim ($2.80), while Pinstripe Lane ($34) got up for third as Slow Pace ($31) dropped out.

The Craven Plate result was the first win by It’s Somewhat since his Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) win over the distance at Rosehill in late March.

McDonald was happy with the easy win and made comparisons between It’s Somewhat and the fellow O’Shea-trained Hartnell who won last year’s Group 1 The BMW (2400m).

“He’s another horse that’s arrived from Europe and is having a good prep,” the hoop said.

“He’s a bit like Hartnell.”

It’s Somewhat holds a nomination for the $3 million Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22, a race last year’s Craven Plate winner Complacent ran dead last in when 14^th to Winx.

Check out the updated 2016 Cox Plate odds on It’s Somewhat to frank this year’s Craven Plate form online now at Ladbrokes.com.au!

2016 Craven Plate Results & Finishing Order

Randwick Race 3 – 01/10/2016