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Neither won but Godolphin big guns Hartnell and Contributer were again the talking points at the Randwick barrier trials on Friday.
John O’Shea’s Group 1-winning imports impressed when having their first spring hitouts on August 10 and showed they had only improved since as they prepare to embark on ambitious spring campaigns.
Contributer was first on the track for James McDonald, who positioned the Ranvet Stakes winner toward the tail of the seven-horse field over 1250 metres.
Taken wide in the straight, the six-year-old lengthened impressively under no pressure to run third to Gai Waterhouse’s new recruit Arabian Gold and Prince Cheri in 1.16.10 on a good 3 surface.
Group 1-winning sprinter Famous Seamus was a close-up third with Melbourne Cup placegetter Who Shot Thebarman given a quiet time in sixth.
McDonald allowed Hartnell to drift back to last of six runners before the turn in his 1250 metre trial.
The BMW winner sliced between runners in the straight to work home powerfully under a stranglehold for a close third to Waterhouse’s Café Society and Hooked in 1.17.5.
Hartnell is expected to resume in the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 5.
Waterhouse’s Caulfield Cup-bound mare Bohemian Lily was fourth with Victoria Derby winner Preferment shown the whip in working home at the tail.
Godolphin was heavily represented in an 836 metre trial won by their smart juvenile of last season Furnaces.
The colt is likely to head to Melbourne to resume in the McEwen Stakes after leading throughout and running home strongly under Sam Clipperton to win by just under a length from stablemate Holler in 50.4 seconds.
Waterhouse filly English sat well back before hitting the line well for fourth with O’Shea’s Sweynesse a solid sixth.
English is likely to return in the Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 5.
Waterhouse won eight of the 14 trials, her other impressive winners including Dark Steel, Ming, Skylimit and Sweet Redemption.
Craig Carmody’s Lady Sansa won her heat by a big margin while Ravi looked good for Peter and Paul Snowden.
