Godolphin’s Caulfield Cup nominated star Hartnell looks on track for his shot at Saturday week’s 2017 Makybe Diva Stakes following an excellent piece of work at The Valley on Tuesday morning.  

Hartnell is on track for an appearance in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

The James Cummings-trained son of Authorized impressed connections including Godolphin’s Melbourne foreman David Charles with his solo gallop that brought him on fitness wise for the $750,000 Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 16.  

“It’s a month between runs for him so it was a good opportunity for him to come away and gallop on a great surface and Moonee Valley are fantastic in allowing us to take up these opportunities,” Charles told Racing Victoria.  

“We couldn’t be happier with him the way he’s progressed and trained on so it will be an exciting race on the 16th of September.”  

Seven-year-old Hartnell kicked off his spring with a dominant two and a quarter length victory at Caulfield on August 19 in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m). 

That was the gun European import’s first turf triumph since his victory over subsequent Caulfield Cup champion Jameka in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) last October.  

Hartnell did not contest the Group 1 $3 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) last Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, but is in the mix for the mile and a half classic on October 21 this year.  

During his spring prep of 2016 the gelding backed-up from the Turnbull Stakes success to run second behind Chris Waller’s defending champion Winx in the Cox Plate.  

He then went to Flemington for the famous Race 7 on the first Tuesday of November and finished third behind the Lloyd Williams-owned Almandin (1st) and international visitor Heartbreak City (2nd) in the Group 1 $6.2 million Melbourne Cup (3200m).  

Charles said no definite decision would be made until after the Makybe Diva Stakes as to whether Hartnell runs in the Caulfield Cup field or is kept to a shorter distance to take on Winx once more in the Group 1 $3 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at the Valley a week later. 

“We’re keeping everyone guessing,” he said.  

All-in Makybe Diva Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have Hartnell at an already odds-on price of $1.80 to make it two from two this campaign.  

Futures Caulfield Cup betting for next month is also led by the in-form veteran with Hartnell at $6.50 to hand the powerhouse Godolphin stable their first success since the visiting Saeed Bin Suroor-trained All The Good back in 2008.  

As for pre-field Ladbrokes Cox Plate odds, Winx is $1.50 to join Kingston Town as the only other triple winner of the weight for age classic in history. 

Hartnell occupies the second line of markets at a huge price of $21.  

To back Hartnell next race and to access all the best upcoming Group 1 racing odds visit Ladbrokes.com.au today.  

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