Godolphin's Group 1 winner Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), better known as being the perpetual bridesmaid to Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) many times in recent seasons, will dodge that three-time G1 Cox Plate winner first-up this season when he takes in the G1 C.F. Orr S. at Caulfield on Feb. 10. The 7-year-old was second in a 1000 metre trial at Warwick Farm on Thursday, making up ground late without being pressured by jockey Kerrin McEvoy. Trainer James Cummings told Racing.com, “He covered a little bit of ground in his trial but he looked lovely in his action and he kept ranging up beautifully and he attacked the line well and looks to have returned in good form. I was really happy with the way he pulled up from the trial and to my eye he looks ready to go first-up over seven furlongs.”
Also finishing second in a Thursday trial for Godolphin was last season's G1 Caulfield Guineas runner-up Kementari (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}), who targets the G3 Eskimo Prince S. next weekend. Godolphin could have another talented son of its champion sire Lonhro on its hands after the 2-year-old Plague Stone (Aus) dominated his trial, winning by almost five lengths. The nearly black colt was second in his lone start at Rosehill in November.
In another notable trial result, Mandalong Stud's Mandalong Tapit (Tapit) won an 800-metre heat at the second time of asking. The A$300,000 Inglis Easter yearling held on to win by a head from Diplomatico (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), who had cost George Moore A$1.7-million at Easter last year and was having his first trial for Team Hawkes.
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