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Hartnell continued his build-up to the spring majors with an impressive barrier trial win at Randwick on Thursday.
The Godolphin star had disappointed some of his supporters when resuming with a fourth placing to stablemate Complacent in the Chelmsford Stakes on September 5 but showed he is progressing with his strong-finishing burst.
Settling well back under James McDonald, Hartnell weaved through runners in the straight before spearing to the line under minimal pressure in the 1200 metre heat.
He clocked 1.12.5 on the good four track, winning by a neck with Gai Waterhouse quartet Kontiki Dane, Loveitt and Frespanol behind him.
Trainer John O’Shea has indicated the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4 would be Hartnell’s next run.
Hartnell is on the fourth line of betting at $15 with the TAB for the Caulfield Cup, is a $16 chance for the Cox Plate and is at $21 for the Melbourne Cup.
