Hartnell gets another look at Caulfield

One word from Godolphin’s Melbourne representative David Charles has summed up his morning after watching four horses work at Caulfield in preparation for the Underwood Stakes meeting.

“Outstanding.”

Hartnell, It’s Somewhat and three-year-olds Kementari and Esperance made the trip from Flemington for course proper gallops at Caulfield on Tuesday.

Underwood Stakes contender Hartnell and It’s Somewhat, who is in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, each galloped solo while Kementari and Esperance, both nominated for the Caulfield Guineas Prelude, were paired together.

Charles gave a glowing report to Godolphin’s head Australian trainer James Cummings after the quartet finished their work and had cooled down.

Hartnell won the P B Lawrence Stakes last month at his first Caulfield start before finishing second to Humidor in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 16.

Craig Williams, who was aboard Hartnell in the Lawrence, reported the gelding raced on his wrong lead leg that day.

“Hartnell was perfect,” Charles said.

“His work was really solid, exactly what James would have wanted.

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“He got around on his right leg so I can’t fault him for Sunday.”

Sydney’s autumn Doncaster Mile winner It’s Somewhat returns to Caulfield for the first time since finishing third in the Coongy Cup last October and makes his season debut in Sunday’s 1400m Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

“The opportunity to come to Caulfield is a big advantage,” Charles said.

“For any horse to have a trip away, getting towards the pointy end of the season, it’s always good.”

After a first-up fourth behind Menari in the Run To The Rose at Rosehill on September 9, Kementari is making his Melbourne debut on Sunday.

“The way he behaved this morning in terms of his gallop and the way he went around Caulfield has us really looking forward to Sunday,” Charles said.

He said a decision was pending whether Esperance joined his stablemate but said the trip away was equally as important as it was for the other gallopers.

“I said to James they look like old handicappers,” Charles said.

“Beautiful and relaxed and they’ve taken it all in their stride and they’re ready to go.

“The deeper we get into spring, the races get harder, so there’s nowhere to hide now.”