Hartnell switch opens door for Cox Plate showdown with Winx

POLL: A DREAM Cox Plate clash of Winx and Hartnell now appears likely as global giant Godolphin plots its raid on the Melbourne spring carnival.

A DREAM Cox Plate clash of Winx and Hartnell now appears likely as global giant Godolphin plots its raid on the Melbourne spring carnival.

The announcement on Wednesday that Hartnell would bypass The Metropolitan at Randwick on AFL Grand Final day (October 1) in preference for the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington the following day hints strongly at a Cox Plate start and a clash of the two best horses in Australasia.

COX PLATE: TAB FIXED ODDS

CAULFIELD CUP: TAB FIXED ODDS

Hartnell was floated to Melbourne on Wednesday night. The $3 million Cox Plate will be run at Moonee Valley on October 22.

The strong likelihood that European-trained Godolphin stayer Scottish would run in the Caulfield Cup and the cancelled Cox Plate plans for another European, Tryster, also points to Hartnell taking on Winx at the Valley.

The probable coup for the Cox Plate would come at the expense of the Caulfield Cup, in which Hartnell and Jameka had cleared out in betting in what had shaped as an enticing clash.

Hartnell ($5.50 favourite) had edged clear of Jameka ($6.50) in Caulfield Cup betting in recent days and is the $8 second favourite behind Winx ($1.85) in Cox Plate betting.

Winx’s odds shortened dramatically after it seemed likely Hartnell would run in The Metropolitan and Caulfield Cup instead of the Cox Plate, in which an out-of-form Hartnell ran fifth to Winx last year.

But any confirmation of a Cox Plate start — which would come after the Turnbull — would prompt a tightening of the gap between the champion mare and the import who has set Sydney alight in recent weeks.

Other than a first-up clash, which Winx won easily, Winx and Hartnell have teased racegoers — and generated debate — with one “near miss’’ and a day where they impressively won back-to-back races.

Trainer Chris Waller scratched Winx from the Chelmsford Stakes on September 3 because of a wet track and in her absence Hartnell won by almost eight lengths.

Last Saturday Hartnell bolted in again, this time in the Hill Stakes, 40 minutes before Winx defeated Hartnell’s inferior stablemate Hauraki in the George Main.

Trainer John O’Shea said the change of plans for Hartnell “was made in consultation with the whole team here and abroad.’’

O’Shea said “all of the Spring features in Melbourne remain on the table’’ for Hartnell but the focus on the Caulfield Cup for Scottish and Tryster’s cancelled trip have the Cox Plate a firm target.