Hartnell prepares for Spring return

Godolphin’s leading Australian runner Hartnell has gone to the paddock to prepare for a selective Spring campaign.

Hartnell concluded his Autumn preparation last Saturday when second to Winx in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, an effort that typified his persistence and ability.

“Hopefully he can go out on his nice positive run behind Winx and still have something left in the tank for the Spring,” said his trainer John O’Shea.

“He had a great carnival, he’s an amazing horse.

“He’s raced at the highest level from when he was two until now as a rising seven-year-old.

"He’s still very sound and his appetite for racing is as strong as ever.”

Hartnell had shown good promise in five wins in England for trainer Mark Johnston and reproduced it in Australia from his first race for O’Shea when second in the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes in February, 2015.

The son of Authorized won his next two, including the G1 BMW.

The following Spring he had the first of seven encounters with Winx, finishing fifth to her in the 2015 G1 WS Cox Plate. He was second to her in the same race the following year.

Hartnell’s second placing in the Queen Elizabeth took his record to 10 wins and 11 placings from 32 starts and carried his racetrack earnings beyond A$4 million.

O’Shea will map out what he indicated would be a slightly diverse seventh Australian campaign for Hartnell during the horse’s break from racing.

“Hopefully if we can duck-and-weave a bit in the Spring and avoid Winx, then there’ll be a nice race for him somewhere,” O’Shea said.

One of the stronger options under consideration will be the G1 Hong Kong Cup run at December’s international meeting at Sha Tin.