Hartnell takes a positive step toward Spring

Godolphin’s highest-rated Australian runner Hartnell progressed strongly and smoothly through another step in his Spring campaign at Flemington on Friday morning.

While a heavy fog descended on the track making it difficult to follow his trial, it was clear the seven-year-old son of Authorized had enjoyed himself and pleased, trainer James Cummings and jockey Kerrin McEvoy.

"He was sprightly and happy within himself so he's right where we want him," Cummings said.

“It was only a trial and a couple of very good sprinters ran away with it, but he was very strong through the line and Kerrin was very pleased with how he felt.”

Hartnell is due to resume racing in the G2 PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on August 19 and then tackle the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 16 with a major Spring target to then be determined.

One possibility is the G1 Caulfield Cup, although Cummings said there is more than one option.

"We know where we're running in the early part of the Spring, but it's a long Spring," he said.

"The horse is seven now and a little while out of the winner's circle and the opposition at weight-for-age in Melbourne is not going to be easy.

"He's going to need to be back to his best, but we're mindful that we want to place him to advantage and if that happens to be the Caulfield Cup then we would not be afraid to take them on."

After winning a string of races in Sydney and Melbourne early last Spring, Hartnell’s 2016-17 season featured placings in Australia’s three biggest open-age races, the G1 Cox Plate, the G1 Melbourne Cup and, in the Autumn, the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, chasing home the champion mare Winx in two of them.