Hartnell set to flex his muscle in Saturday's G2

Godolphin’s highest-ranked Australian runner Hartnell makes a seasonal debut at Caulfield on Saturday that should give a strong guide to the major Spring targets ahead of a horse rated among the world’s top ten.

Hartnell (James Cummings/Craig Williams) resumes an “all-Melbourne” campaign against high-class opposition in the G2 P B Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.

While his ultimate goal for this season is yet to be confirmed, trainer James Cummings is satisfied the seven-year-old is capable of running up to his form of last Spring which yielded a string of victories in Sydney a G1 success in Melbourne and placings in the G1 Cox Plate and G1 Melbourne Cup.

“On dry tracks in Melbourne this Spring I’m looking forward to him again producing his best,” Cummings said.

Hartnell, who has been in Melbourne for almost a month, travelled from his Flemington stable to Caulfield this week to gain experience on a track he’s not previously raced on.

“He hadn’t been to Caulfield so we took him there for a gallop on Tuesday and all the reports were good,” he said.

“He handled the track well and enjoyed it. It was also good to give him a little float trip to take him out of his comfort zone.”

Hartnell’s opposition in Saturday’s 1400m race includes the former world No.1 sprinter Lankan Rupee, the classy Black Heart Bart, the French middle-distance runner Gailo Chop and former Japanese galloper Tosen Stardom.

Cummings is also looking forward to the resumption of the promising colts Veranillo (Dwayne Dunn) in the G3 Vain Stakes and Souchez (Craig Williams) in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes.

Cummings said of Veranillo: “This horse has really got something.”

“He put a lot into his Autumn campaign but has come back very well. I’d like to see him run a big, positive race first up."

“Souchez is a horse who will really have benefitted from the rest he was given in the Autumn."

“He’s a beautiful horse and he’s ready to run well first up.”