Hartnell in good shape for return to racing

Australia’s second highest ranked racehorse, Hartnell, showed he was progressing well ahead of his Autumn debut, turning in a strong trial performance at Randwick on Friday.

Hartnell is due to resume racing in the G2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick on February 11, the first of four races trainer John O’Shea has in mind for the Autumn.

While the 1400m of the Apollo is short of Hartnell’s best trip, his 1000m trial suggested he has another good campaign ahead of him.

The gelding who this week was named the second highest-rated runner in Godolphin’s global stable settled near the back of the field and with rider James Doyle keeping him under restraint to the line, he cruised home behind the leaders.

“James was pretty excited with him. He jumped well, he relaxed and he’s pulled up in tremendous shape,” said assistant trainer Darren Beadman.

Hartnell won three races on end last Spring, including the G1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, before finishing second to Winx in the G1 Cox Plate and third in the G1 Melbourne Cup.

His ultimate goal this preparation is the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 8 with the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes and the G1 Ranvet Stakes also on the program.

Winx is likely to confront him in each of his Autumn runs, but nothing is being conceded to the champion mare.

“Hopefully we can pick up something on the way through …. he’s been such a tremendous horse for us,” Beadman said.

The key to Hartnell’s Autumn prospects could be the return to Randwick, a track that Beadman believes suits his style of galloping.

“As much as he’s got a turn of foot he seems to be better off on bigger, more spacious tracks where he can get into a nice rhythm,” he said.

“But he runs well wherever he goes.”

Friday’s trials also featured the appearance of the Animal Kingdom two-year-olds – Platunum and Animalia -  in the Godolphin colours.

Both turned in encouraging efforts with Platinum, who has been gelded since failing at his only start, running a nice fifth after showing speed and Animalia finishing strongly from the back of the field to run sixth in his trial.