Hartnell Bids For BMW Prize

Time/Date - 16.30hrs local time/Saturday, March 28, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Rosehill Gardens/Australia Surface/Distance - Turf/1m 4f

Hartnell moves back up in trip and grade for the AUS$1.5-million Group One The BMW over a mile and a half at Rosehill Gardens, Australia, on Saturday, March 28.

The John O'Shea-trained four-year-old readily scored over 10 furlongs in the Group Three McGrath Estate Agents Sky High Stakes at the same course on March 14, when he quickened clear to win well by two lengths in a class record time.

He finished fast to take second, beaten half a length by stable companion Contributer who has franked the form, on his Australian debut in the Group One Liverpool City Council Chipping Norton Stakes over a mile at Warwick Farm on February 28.

Hartnell raced in the UK last year, coming home seventh in the Group One Ladbrokes St Leger over an extended 14 furlongs at Doncaster on September 13, and finishing sixth in the 12-furlong Group Two Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on August 20.

The son of Authorized made all to win the Group Three Bahrain Trophy over 13 furlongs at Newmarket on July 10, and posted a neck success in the Listed Queen's Vase over two miles at Royal Ascot.

John O'Shea said: "Hartnell has a wonderful opportunity to get a Group One win in Australia.

"It does appear to be a very defined race in that two stand out - Hartnell and the Japanese horse To The World. It would be lovely if we can get a nice sit on the Japanese horse as he could well be vulnerable late

"If that situation pans out, Hartnell will be very hard to hold out and I couldn't be happier with him."

Hartnell, with James McDonald in the saddle, tackles ten including Japanese Grade One runner-up To The World plus Protectionist and Who Shot Thebarman, who were first and third in the 2014 Emirates Melbourne Cup.