John O’Shea confident ahead of clash with Winx
JOHN O’Shea is confident that Hartnell can turn the tables on champion mare Winx ahead of Saturday’s Group 2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick.
Winx is currently 4-0 against the Godolphin runner, which included a Cox Plate demolishing at Moonee Valley last year, but with the rain falling in Sydney this week, Hartnell’s chances of causing an upset increases.
“He’s come back in great shape, I couldn’t be happier with his attitude and his fitness level,” O’Shea said.
“We’re looking forward to a good, positive day. It’s likely that the track will be rain-affected, which will be good for him.”
The six-year-old worked home well in a trial at Randwick last month and the betting support is coming for Hartnell which is now into +850 at Sportsbet after opening at $12.
“His trial was what we wanted, he’s come along nicely since then,” O’Shea said. “From here he goes to the Chipping Norton in two weeks and then the Ranvet and the Queen Elizabeth.”
One of O’Shea’s better bets of the day is Impending in the Southern Cross Stakes. The three-year-old colt resumes after a quality campaign which featured a win in the Stan Fox Stakes.
“(Impending’s) had one trial and put in an acceptable effort,” O’Shea said. “What he has going for him is that he’s well treated under the conditions here with 53.5kg.
“He’ll go on to the Canterbury Stakes and we’ll be keeping him to 1400m at this stage.”
Punters have also backed Peacock to win the Autumn Stakes at Caulfield. The three-year-old colt opened at $7 and has closed into +550 with Ladbrokes.
“(Peacock’s) dropping back in grade from the Australia Stakes where I thought he ran very well… he’s probably as good a chance as we have this weekend,” O’Shea said.
2017 Apollo Stakes market
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