Early favourite for the Doomben Cup later in the month It’s Somewhat headlines the 2017 AD Hollindale Stakes field at the Gold Coast Racecourse this Saturday in Queensland.

Last start Doncaster Mile winner It’s Somewhat steps up in weight for the 2017 A.D. Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart.

The wind-up to the Group 1 races of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival begins in earnest this weekend with a dozen gun weight-for-age gallopers to face off in the $35,000 Group 2 Attwood Marshall A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m).

The bulk of runners in the Gold Coast Race 7 at 3:40pm (AEST) are eyeing a Brisbane run on May 20 in the $650,000 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m).

Heading the futures Doomben Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au and the likely favourites in AD Hollindale Stakes betting this season at $7 for the Group 1 is the John O’Shea-trained It’s Somewhat.

Drawn in barrier three on Saturday with Tye Angland to ride is the in-form Dynaformer six-year-old It’s Somewhat shooting for a third win on the trot.

He won the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) two back at Rosehill before an elite level success in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 1.

It’s Somewhat has enjoyed a subsequent trial win at Warwick Farm over 1200m and has winning form up to 2000m so the step-up to 1800m in the Hollindale shouldn’t be an issue.

The gelding does however rise from 55kg in the Doncaster Mile under handicap conditions to 59kg in the weight-for-age Group 2 on the weekend.

Equal at $7 in the all-in Doomben Cup markets is Articus for Victoria’s premier trainer Darren Weir, the French import also accepted into the AD Hollindale Stakes field at the Gold Coast.

The Areion stallion debuted down under with a 13^th to Jameka in last October’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and finished at the back end of the field again second-up on April 15 in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m).

He is out to atone this weekend getting out over 1800m, but has the outside barrier (12 of 12) to overcome.

Drawn well in barrier four and representing the Queensland horses is the Desleigh Forster-trained four-year-old son of Showcasing Cylinder Beach.

Prepared in Brisbane the galloper heads to the Gold Coast for the first time on the back of a nice win in the Toowoomba Cup (2000m) carrying 59.5kg with Jim Byrne retaining the ride.

The other last start winner in the mix this season is the Nick Olive-trained Single Gaze to be ridden by Kathy O’Hara from barrier six.

A four-year-old daughter of Not A Single Doubt, Single Gaze posted a half-length win at Doomben in black-type company over the mile on April 22 and drops from 58kg that run to 57kg this weekend.

The mare has been at the Gold Coast three times to date for two minor placings when third in the 2015 Magic Millions Classic and second in the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas.

Also in great form heading into the weekend’s fixture is the consistent Kris Lees-trained Street Sense gelding Sense Of Occasion.

He is down in grade after two Group 1 thirds firstly to It’s Somewhat in the Doncaster Mile and then the world’s best mare Winx in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

Check out the full A.D. Hollindale Stakes 2017 field, barriers and jockeys below with updated odds to be released shortly at Ladbrokes.com.au.

2017 A.D. Hollindale Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw

Gold Coast Race 7 (3:40pm) – 06/05/2017