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Autumn Prospects On Show At Randwick

Mike Hedge
The former English stayer Hartnell returns to where his highly successful Australian career began when he begins his Autumn campaign in the 1600m, G1 Chipping Norton Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday, February 27.

The former English stayer Hartnell returns to where his highly successful Australian career began when he begins his Autumn campaign in the 1600m, G1 Chipping Norton Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday, February 27.

On a card featuring several heavyweights of Australian racing, Hartnell (John O'Shea/James McDonald) heads a strong Godolphin contingent that includes the classic filly Ambience the G1 Golden Slipper contender Telperion and another English import, It's Somewhat.

This time last year Hartnell made his local debut with a second placing behind his stablemate Contributer in the Chipping Norton before going on to win the G3 Sky High Stakes and the G1 BMW at his next two starts.

And according to trainer John O'Shea, he is just as well prepared this time around.
"We didn't know a lot about him last Autumn, but this is his third preparation with us and I think we understand him pretty well now," O'Shea said.

"He's had two trials and his work has been good. He's where I'd like him to be at this stage of his preparation."

Hartnell is one of three Godolphin runners in the G1 Chipping Norton, with the trio completed by Magic Hurricane (John O'Shea/William Buick) and Hauraki (John O'Shea/Sam Clipperton).

Of the two, Hauraki is likely to be best suited by the 1600m trip, judged on his good, first-up third behind the star filly Winx, who he meets again.

"He gave Winx a couple of lengths start and chased her hard over an unsuitable trip. It was no surprise that she was too sharp for him last time out," O'Shea said.

"He's improved and I'm looking for a similar run this time."

Magic Hurricane has had one run since winning the G1 Metropolitan at Randwick early last Spring finishing a satisfactory seventh behind Winx at Randwick two weeks ago.

"He's got a big campaign ahead of him in longer races. He showed us last Spring that he is a very good horse and I'm very happy with where he is at the moment."

A couple of potential support acts for Godolphin's leading Australian two-year-old Astern will be out to establish their credentials in Randwick's lead-ups to the world's richest juvenile race, the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes.

In the G2 Skyline Stakes for colts and geldings Telperion (John O'Shea/James McDonald) and Souchez (John O'Shea/William Buick) attempt to confirm places in the Slipper field.

"They both won their last starts and have both come on nicely since," O'Shea said.
"Telperion was very impressive and he showed us that he is a lot better when he's allowed to settle and then run on.

"He's a lovely big, strong colt who will appreciate the 1200 metres here. He looks a Slipper type and at this stage we're looking at running him."

"Souchez is a very professional type whose work this week has been very sharp. He'll benefit from the run and we'll decide after Saturday where he goes next."

In the fillies' division, the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes, Gloriette (John O'Shea/James McDonald) and Palomino (John O'Shea/William Buick) are both among the top prospects, but are not certain to progress to the Golden Slipper.

Victorian Oaks placegetter Ambience (John O'Shea/William Buick) returns to the track in the G2 Surround Stakes, a race which will help decide her Autumn campaign.

"She ran well in the Spring but I'm still weighing up whether or not she's a genuine 2400 metre horse," O'Shea said.

"We'll see how she goes in the next few weeks before deciding which way she goes."

Ambience is joined in the Surround Stakes by Pearls (John O'Shea/Sam Clipperton) and the unbeaten Ghisoni (John O'Shea/James McDonald).

The Sydney team is completed by It's Somewhat (John O'Shea/William Buick) and Generalife (John O'Shea/James McDonald) in the G3 Liverpool City Cup, a race won by the former on his Australian debut last year.

Hartnell
Hartnell © Lisa Grimm