The G1 Cox Plate Oct. 22 is shaping up to be a thriller given the news that Godolphin are keen to have another crack at star mare Winx (Aus) (Ire) with their exciting Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}). Although he has been beaten by Chris Waller's mare on three occasions Hartnell seems to have brought his form to a new level recently as evidenced by his easy three length defeat of Jameka (Aus) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) in the G1 Yellowglen Turnbull S. at Flemington Oct 2. Explaining their decision Goodolphin's Australian manager Henry Plumtre said, “John Ferguson didn't think there was much point running Sheikh Mohammed's best European stayer [Scottish] against his best Aussie stayer [Hartnell] in the Caulfield Cup and wanted to split them up.” Assuming everything goes to plan for Winx in her G1 Caulfield S. test she will be seeking back to back Cox Plate victories but that is of no real concern to trainer John O'Shea. “We are all about getting our own house in order, it is really no consideration what else is in the race,” O'Shea told racing.com. “It would be an honour to win a Cox Plate for His Highness but again as to what is in it, we are not going to give any focus to that. With regard to the competition factor, I think that is more for the racing public to get involved in, we are just about getting our own house in order.” What O'Shea was emphatic about is the condition of his challenger following a busy recent time when he ran three times in four weeks. “You wouldn't know Hartnell had a run to be honest, he dropped only 1kg for the day out,” O'Shea said. “He has made good improvement again, we are happy with where he is at and I'm happy with the three weeks going into the Cox Plate.”
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