Hartnell evades Winx

We’re plotting path to suit the horse, says Cummings

THE domino effect of trainer Chris Waller’s decision to run Winx in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington has begun, with star galloper Hartnell set to bypass the race.

Hartnell, which won last year’s Turnbull by more than three lengths, has run second to Winx four times and trainer James Cummings is looking at another path for the Goldolphin runner.

Cummings will instead send Hartnell to the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield next Sunday with the Caulfield Cup potentially in its sights.

Winx has been installed a $1.20 favourite for the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) after Waller on Wednesday declared his mighty mare would make the trip to Melbourne. But Cummings said he hadn’t been scared off by the news.

“We booked [jockey] Kerrin McEvoy to ride the horse in the Underwood on Monday,” he told Sydney’s Sky Sports Radio. “I think it’s just a matter of plotting the path we feel suits the horse.

“I think that he’ll run very well in the Underwood. It was a bit of a coin toss as a lead-up to where we want to go next.

“I think the horse has pulled up strongly enough from a tough run in the Makybe Diva Stakes and I think he’ll run very well for Kerrin in the Underwood.”

Hartnell was a convincing winner of the PB Lawrence Stakes first up last month before running second behind Caulfield Cup favourite Humidor in last Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.