Godolphin's classy import Hartnell (GB) finally showed Victorians the form he usually reserves for Sydney by winning Sunday's Group I Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in what was little more than a working gallop.
Under a throttle hold by James McDonald, Hartnell won with ears pricked by three and a quarter lengths over the game Jameka ($5) with the same margin back to Tally in third. (photos Grant Courtney).
A lacklustre sixth in the same race last year, Hartnell was comprehensively defeated by Horse Of The Year Winx when making his seasonal debut in the Group II Warwick Stakes at Randwick on August 20 but has been unstoppable since, reeling off hugely impressive performances in the Group II Chelmsford Stakes and Group II Hill Stakes, both at Randwick, before his triumph in the Turnbull.
Immediately following the race speculation began again whether Hartnell would take on Winx in the Cox Plate or head to the Caulfield Cup.
"His Highness (Sheikh Mohammed) and John Ferguson will determine where he goes next," trainer John O'Shea said.
"Obviously he's got plenty of options on the table and he'll be competitive in whatever race he runs in so I just hope he pulls up well."
"That was a nice effort today, the team here at Flemington has done a nice job to keep him ticking over after coming down from Sydney and the track today was in beautiful order.
"To be fair he did get it all his own way in the run but James (McDonald) made it happen and once he gets to that position where he's rolling along in clear space he's always going to be hard to beat.
"I've learned a lot about him and it's important to get him in the right frame of mind at the start of the prep.
"He'll always finish a race off if you can get him to relax early and James is getting that done."
In winning for the second time at the highest level, the son of Authorized, advanced his record to 10 wins, 5 seconds and 1 third from 26 starts with earnings of $2,233,999.
The 6yo gelding began his career in Britain with Mark Johnston for whom he won five races, including the Bahrain Trophy and Queen's Vase and was placed in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud.
A half-brother to Listed winner and Group 1 Newmarket Fillies' Mile runner-up Roz (Teofilo), Hartnell is out of the twice winning Anabaa mare Debonnaire whose stakes-placed dam Ultra Finesse (Rahy) is a half-sister to Prix de l"Arc de Triomphe, French Derby and Irish Champion Stakes winner Suave Dancer.
