Hartnell cruises to victory in Hill Stakes

A new G1 option has opened up for Sydney’s form stayer Hartnell following another runaway win, this time in the G2 Hill Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, September 17.

The former English-trained galloper destroyed his opposition, winning by five-and-three-quarter lengths, a performance that placed him high among the leading prospects for the G1 Caulfield Cup.

Hartnell (John O’Shea/James McDonald) had won the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at his previous start by almost eight lengths and is in the best form of a career that includes a Listed victory at Royal Ascot and a G1 success in Australia.

“He was very, very good today,” said trainer John O’Shea.

“He’s put together two nice performances, he’s in a good frame of mind.”

While the Caulfield Cup, a race previously won by Godolphin with All The Good in 2008, is an obvious target for Hartnell, O’Shea is keeping his options open.

“I think his best chance to win a major G1 is in the Caulfield Cup, but Caulfield can get very firm and he doesn’t like that rock hard ground,” he said.

“We’d like to keep him in Sydney for as long as we can because he gets the wonderful advantage of being at Osborne Park with the team of people who look after him. They do a wonderful job.”

Under a supremely confident James McDonald ride, Hartnell cruised along behind Storm The Stars until the 350m where he took over.

From that point McDonald sat quietly on the son of Authorized who extended his lead with every stride.

Other possibilities for Hartnell include the G1 Cox Plate in which he finished fifth last year, and the G1 Emirates Melbourne Cup which is run over the same two-mile trip as his Royal Ascot victory of 2014 when he was trained by Mark Johnston.

While he couldn’t get his name onto the winner’s trophy, Hauraki also signalled a lucrative Spring should be ahead when he finished a gallant second to the champion filly Winx on the G1 Optic White Stakes on the same Randwick card.

A G2 winner at his previous run, Hauraki made Winx earn her 11th successive victory, finishing a length behind her.

“He’s in the best form he’s ever been in, that was a great run and there are several good options open to him in Melbourne later in the Spring,” O’Shea said.

Among them are the G1 Underwood Stakes at Flemington on October 20 and the G1 Mackinnon Stakes at the same track the following month.