Poor old Hartnell (GB), even when he wins he seems to get upstaged by Winx.
After living in the great mares shadow last season, Hartnell made the trip to Melbourne where he was a dominant winner of Saturday's Group II PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
It came an hour after the heart-stopping victory of Winx in the Group II Warwick Stakes at Randwick.
Craig Williams positioned the imported son of Epsom Derby hero Authorized in second place behind the pace-setting Charmed Harmony.
Once he had reeled in the leader, Hartnell went to the line with little urging to defeat Charmed Harmony by two and a quarter lengths with Black Heart Bart three and a quarter length back in third. (photo Darryl Sherer)
"The team was very confident today and the horse delivered," Williams said.
"That win is even better than it looks, he was on his wrong leg all the way but he was just very dominant and there's more to come.
"The experience around here just makes him a more seasoned horse."
Assistant trainer David Charles said Hartnell has thrived since being at Flemington.
"We brought him to Melbourne early and (trainer)James (Cummings) wanted him to come here on Tuesday to work as part of the process," Charles said.
"The race worked out extremely well and he's an amazing adaptable horse. We're looking forward to the rest of the spring with him for sure.
"He's just done so well since he's been here. The Makybe Diva was always the plan next and then James will sort it out from there."
Last season, Hartnell played second fiddle to Winx in the Warwick Stakes, Cox Plate Apollo Stakes and Queen Elizabeth takes.
When the great mare was not around the Godolphin's top-class import won the Chelmsford Stakes, Hill Stakes and Turnbull Stakes.
Hartnell advances his overall record to 11 wins, 9 seconds and 2 thirds from 33 starts with earnings of $4,191,499.
The 7yo gelding began his career in Britain with Mark Johnston for whom he won five races, including the Bahrain Trophy and Queen's Vase and was placed in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud.
A half-brother to Listed winner and Group 1 Newmarket Fillies' Mile runner-up Roz (Teofilo), Hartnell is out of the twice winning Anabaa mare Debonnaire whose stakes-placed dam Ultra Finesse (Rahy) is a half-sister to Prix de l"Arc de Triomphe, French Derby and Irish Champion Stakes winner Suave Dancer.
