Hartnell cruises to victory in Group 1 Turnbull Handicap
A possible Cox Plate showdown between Winx and Hartnell could still be on the cards after Hartnell’s dominant galloping display in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
Trainer John O’Shea wasn’t giving anything away about what comes next for Hartnell which never got out of second gear over the 2000m, but punters will be hoping two champions can meet at Moonee Valley later this month.
“It’s up to his highness and John Ferguson,” O’Shea said. “Plenty of options on the table and he’ll be competitive whatever he runs in.”
O’Shea was asked about the possible meeting with Winx, stating that he can only have his horse ready to run its best.
“We can only look after our own house and do our best to prepare them. Very proud of the teams effort.”
Hartnell was able to find a forward position in the field of 12 and jockey James McDonald presented it around the home turn. The $1.90 favourite at CrownBet never looked tested and ran to the line an easy winner over last start winner Jameka.
“I was lucky I got into a beautiful spot, he did the rest,” McDonald said. “John said to be before I got legged on, ‘I thought this horse has improved, funnily enough’.
“I had it in the bag at the 800m, it was pretty easy.”
Hartnell has now won its last three starts and O’Shea credits its improvement down to allowing the six-year-old to relax.
“I think to be fair he had a lot go his way in the run,” O’Shea said. “It’s a combination of me learning a little bit about him and getting him into the right frame of mind this prep.
“He’ll always finish off if we get him to relax early.
Hartnell remains well-backed in all the major markets this spring which could include the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup or Melbourne Cup.