Global Weekly Preview: Hartnell my pick in clash of champions

The stage is set for one of the most anticipated head-to-heads on the Australian Turf -- Hartnell v Winx in Saturday's G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, Melbourne -- in prospect, one of the greatest races in the modern era.

Of course, that is how it appears on paper. How it plays out in this popular racing amphitheatre, situated only metres from the road to Tullamarine Airport, could prove another thing, entirely.

Racing has a habit of producing shock results when least expected.

The Moonee Valley track is small by world standards -- just under 1,800m around, with a 250m-odd dash from the home bend to the winning post -- yet it is that layout that makes racing there so exciting.

It should also be pointed out that, these days, the track is well cambered on the turns, making it easier for horses to negotiate. A well-balanced horse will have no problems at the Valley.

The Cox Plate has held on to its reputation for being a race visited by equine greats of Australasia. First run in 1922, it has been won by virtually every champion to have graced the Turf in these parts.

The list is highly impressive -- Phar Lap, Ajax, Flight, Rising Fast, Redcraze, Tulloch, Tobin Bronze, Gunsynd, Kingston Town, Northerly, Strawberry Road, Bonecrusher, Sunline, Makybe Diva, So You Think.....and Winx.

Every era represented, and every one on the list a prolific winner and an outstanding racehorse. Without exception.

Winx, last year's winner, has stretched her winning sequence to 12 without breaking sweat, or so it seems. The daughter of deceased Darley stallion Street Cry is an equine superstar of the highest order.

But, as well as Winx is going at present, I believe Godolphin's Hartnell is capable of toppling her from her pedestal. His win in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington was quite incredible, trouncing Jameka, who then notched a resounding success in the G1 Caulfield Cup, beating Scottish by three lengths.

The other Godolphin runner, Hauraki, was responsible for a last-to-first win in the G1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick on October 1 that had to be seen to be believed. He 'flew' in the last 100m. He could sneak a place in this Cox Plate.

The Andre Fabre-trained Vadamos has very good form to his credit in France, but I fear the tempo of a Cox Plate is going to be unsettling for him first-up. This is a great renewal of Australia's premier weight-for-age race -- and I believe the stars will dominate.

Team Godolphin's European-trained visitors are also in good form -- a second in the G1 Caulfield Cup, plus first and third in the G3 Geelong Cup in the past week -- and Second Wave can keep the Royal Blue flag flying in the G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup.

Second Wave is lightly-raced but he has tremendous potential. Established stayers Gallante, Grand Marshall and Who Shot Thebarman are giving away 2kg and more to Second Wave, which is a huge concession in a staying contest such as this.

This is one of the most popular race days of the Spring in Melbourne, and it should indeed live up to its billing.