HART MURMUR
Godolphin star firms as a World beater
THE moment when John O’Shea’s Godolphin team realised it had something well above the ordinary with Hartnell came quite unexpectedly.
It was a barrier trial at O’Shea’s private training complex near Hawkesbury when Hartnell took the trainer completely by surprise.
“Hartnell had two-mile form in England but here he was showing good speed in a trial,’’ Godolphin’s Darren Beadman said. “This horse had a flashing light on him that day and we realised he wasn’t just your typical grinding English stayer.’’
The former English galloper had won the Queen’s Vase over two miles (3200m) at Royal Ascot last year and owner Sheik Mohammed sent the horse Down Under with a view to winning a Melbourne Cup.
But Hartnell has been a revelation since joining O’Shea, running second behind stablemate Contributer in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes over 1600m at his Australian debut and then romping away with the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) last start.
Hartnell has been so impressive, he is challenging Japan’s much-hyped To The World for favouritism in the Group 1 $1.5 million The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill today.
Beadman conceded To The World will prove hard to beat but added O’Shea could be any happier with Hartnell.
“When you hear the name Gentil-donna, the ears prick up a little because she was such a great mare and To The World has been competitive against her,’’ Beadman said.
“We are certainly not underestimating him.
“I know John can’t fault Hartnell and the horse has thrived since his last-start win. This horse has really responded to John’s training.’’
After Hartnell’s eye-catching Chipping Norton Stakes effort, O’Shea was tempted to run the four-year-old at Group 1 level again in the Ranvet Stakes but chose the softer option and was rewarded with the Sky High Stakes victory.
Beadman believes O’Shea’s careful race preparation with Hartnell has the gelding primed for his The BMW showdown with To The World.
“Hartnell didn’t really have a hard run last start and is going into The BMW on the up, he’s improving,’’ Beadman said.
“The beauty of it, he has been to the track, had a run around it and performed so he ticks a few boxes. It gives us a lot of confidence for this race.’’