Godolphin’s Australian star Hartnell claimed the third G1 victory of his career with a stunning performance in the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, 10 February that may have earned him a renewal of his battle with the world Champion mare Winx.
Ridden along towards the rear of the field early on in the seven-furlong contest, Hartnell was still well back at the halfway stage but responding brilliantly to jockey Craig Williams' urging, flew home to get up in the dying strides and win by a short head.
This was the third victory at G1 level for this outstanding son of Authorized and took his racetrack earnings beyond A$4.9 million.
Trainer James Cummings said he will now consider returning Hartnell to Sydney to run in the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes, due to take place on Sarturday, 3 March, where he would be likely to meet Winx once again.
Hartnell won three times in Britain, including twice at Stakes level, before joining Godolphin’s Australian team in 2014. Since then he has become one of Australia’s best middle-distance performers and was included among the world’s top 10 racehorses in official international rankings last year.
Hartnell is out of the winning Anabaa mare Debonnaire, also dam of G1 Fillies Mile second and Listed Star Stakes winner Roz (Teofilo). She is from the family of Suave Dancer, who won the Arc, the Prix du Jockey Club and the Irish Champion Stakes.
Hartnell is one of five G1 winners for Authorized, who will stand the forthcoming breeding season at Haras du Logis in France at a fee of €12,000 October 1, Special Live Foal.
