Multiple Group One-winning galloper Hartnell is set to take another step towards a spring return with a jump-out at Flemington.
The Godolphin galloper is listed to contest an 800m jump-out on Friday in a heat also featuring Lindsay Park-trained stablemates Vega Magic and Fundamentalist, the Tony McEvoy-trained Oohood as well as Lady Lupino and Malibu Style.
Hartnell is the highest money-earner in Australia for Godolphin and the gelding, who turns nine on Thursday, is being prepared for a spring campaign.
It will be Hartnell’s second serious hit-out after the gelding finished sixth in a Rosehill barrier trial on July 19 that also featured James Cummings-trained stablemates Kiamichi, Alizee, Best Of Days, Avilus and Roheryn.
At his previous two spring campaigns, Hartnell has resumed in the PB Lawrence Stake, winning in 2017 before running second to Showtime last year.
The Group Two race over 1400m will be run at Caulfield on Saturday week.