Latest News

By Ray Hickson

There was a time when Godolphin believed Hartnell was the horse that could bring down Winx.

Darren Beadman (centre) with trainer James Cummings and Godolphin's Bloodstock Manager Jason Walsh. (Pic: Bradley Photos)

As crazy as that might sound today, Godolphin’s Darren Beadman said heading into the 2016 Cox Plate in Melbourne, then trainer John O’Shea and the stable were adamant Hartnell would bring the winning streak, which stood at 12, to an end.

He was coming off a high-rating demolition of Caulfield Cup winner Jameka in the Turnbull Stakes and was right at the top of his game.

So there was plenty of reason to think it was within him to cause an upset given she wasn't at that stage considered invincible.

“We thought we had a realistic chance of beating her and we rode him that way,’’ Beadman said.

“We thought if we were in front (of her) she has to come from behind and maybe there’d be some traffic to get in her way.

“James (McDonald) wanted to be in a winning position on the turn, and he was, and she just came around him with a V12 engine and blew him away.’’

The view that he - or anything - can beat her has changed, obviously, but the battle hardened gelding is back for one final audience with the Queen and it’ll be the first time they’ve met since he chased her home in the 2017 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Hartnell has gone to war with Winx seven times in his career and finished second on four occasions so it’s fitting he’s there to see her off in her farewell at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

After their seventh meeting in the 2017 Queen Elizabeth, O’Shea declared Hartnell would avoid Winx and current trainer James Cummings has continued that trend.

It’s been a successful move – Hartnell has won two Group 1s and placed in another five in the past two years, showing that while Winx has his measure on the track she hasn’t broken his heart.

“Horses of this class they put in 110 per cent every time, so if they are doing that and getting beaten yeah they can be ‘Winxed’,’’ Beadman said.

“It wouldn’t matter who he is against, he just loves it. But she’s just a machine.’’

Hartnell backs up into the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) after a typically courageous third in the Doncaster Mile under top weight of 58kg.

Beadman said the eight-year-old would have appreciated a stronger tempo in the feature mile but has come out of the race so well.

“He’s bouncing, he has such an eagerness about him,’’ he said.

“He just loves racing, loves life, and on the quick back up he’ll be putting his best foot forward.’’

Easy as you like.

The 2016 Cox Plate was a walk in the park for the mighty mare.#WinxFarewell pic.twitter.com/RxR9lGpLhE

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 25, 2019

Hartnell is a $21 chance with TAB, alongside another of Winx's old foes in Happy Clapper. Both are fighting for second place, most would agree, but their presence is welcomed.

After two years of giving Winx a wide berth, why is Hartnell there for her finale?

Beadman, who also gave some insight into the effect the champ has had on him, said Godolphin don’t really want to ‘spoil the party’ but there is a desire to be involved in the moment.

“The Doncaster was his main mission this preparation but it is a race the team wanted to be in with Winx being in the race,’’ he said.

“Winx has been such an ornament to the game. I remember one day I was down at the 300m and she bought a tear to my eye as she went past.

“She is just poetry in motion and it is going to be great to be a part of the event.’’

It’s worth noting, however, that Beadman had his own party spoiled back in 2004 when he rode Lonhro in his finale in the Queen Elizabeth and was upstaged by Grand Armee.

So he knows upsets can happen, but says it’s unlikely in this case.

All the fields, form and replays for Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick