Winx supreme, Hartnell brave in Apollo

Winx has provided further proof of her status as Australia’s best racehorse, and one of the top few in the world, with a stunning comeback win in the G2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick on Monday.

In a race delayed by 48 hours by a heat wave, the champion mare scorched the turf, making it 14 wins on end and setting herself up for an Autumn replica of her Spring campaign of 2016.

As much as Winx confirmed her supremacy, Godolphin’s Hartnell left little doubt that he is the next best, running a strong second that delighted trainer John O’Shea and jockey James Doyle.

Hartnell chased hard all the way down the Randwick straight, finishing 2-3/4 lengths behind Winx in a first-up performance that would normally herald an illustrious Autumn campaign.

But as strong and courageous as Hartnell undoubtedly was, he will again be opposed to Winx in two of his remaining three starts this campaign.

The pair will meet again in two weeks in the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick and yet again in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at the same track on April 8.

O’Shea said he was “as proud as I could be” of Hartnell, but joked that he might have to settle for the crumbs left by Winx and her trainer Chris Waller.

“He’s in for a good Autumn,” said O’Shea.

“I hope he can pick up a nice, little race …… hopefully Chris might have mercy on us.”

The only race this campaign in which Hartnell will not be confronted by his nemesis is the G1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on March 18.

Despite Winx now holding a 5-0 record against Hartnell, hope springs eternal in the Godolphin camp which will be looking to their star to be competitive over distances more suitable to their horse than the 1400m of Monday’s race.

Adding merit to Winx’s performance was her tardiness at the break and the admission by jockey Hugh Bowman that she had been slightly sluggish when the sprint went on 600m from home.

“She didn’t jump into stride, she does that sometimes when she’s fresh,” Bowman said.

“After that, she travelled really comfortably, although she was a bit flat at the 600m when they sprinted.

“But in the blink of an eye, it was all over.”

Winx finished 2016 in third place on official international racehorse rankings behind the American gallopers Arrogate and California Chrome, but is now challenging for a place among the top two.

Hartnell’s performance had an unfortunate aftermath when, in the following race, his stablemate Pearls fell heavily with rider James Doyle.

Doyle walked to the ambulance and was treated for minor injuries on course, while Pearls was transported to the nearby Randwick Equine Centre for assessment.