Hartnell, Fenway Win Group I's in Australia

Godolphin's Hartnell got a bit excited in the gate before the start of The BMW (Aus-I) March 28 at Rosehill Gardens, but eventually proved a decisive winner over Japanese raider and favorite To the World.

The son of Authorized, fifth along the inside early behind good pace, was swung four-wide into the stretch en route to a 1 1/2-length victory over To The World, who tried in vain to catch the winner but made his move too late.

The 2,400-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) race offered an Aus$1.5 million purse and attracted one of the strongest fields in modern times, with six countries represented in the 11-horse field.

Just seconds before the start Hartnell reared up with James McDonald and caught his front legs over the top of the gate. He was safely untangled but had to undergo a veterinary exam before being deemed fit to start. Opinion in an adjacent stall was also unloaded, then reloaded.

Fast Dragon was first away when the gates flew open, leading from Hampton Court, Opinion, and Beaten Up. Protectionist and Who Shot Thebarman, first and third in the 2014 Melbourne Cup (Aus-I), dropped back to near last while To The World was well placed midfield.

Nearing the home turn Opinion, racing third on the rails, was causing concern to jockey Tye Angland, who gradually eased him down and out of the race.

In the stretch, racing seven abreast, Hartnell and To the World made their moves on the outside, with Hartnell quickening a few strides before To The World launched his rally and dashed to catch up, chasing in vain.

"James made a long run on him from 600 meters out and Hartnell outstayed the Japanese horse, who is no slouch, for a very exciting and impressive win," trainer John O'Shea said.

Second to Japanese star Gentildonna in the Arima Kinen (Jpn-I) Dec. 28, To the Word had to settle for the runner-up spot again on Saturday. Beaten Up was third, followed by Who Shot Thebarman in fourth and Protectionist fifth.

Hartnell covered the distance in 2:29.50 for his seventh win from 16 career starts. Bred in Great Britain by Darley, he entered off a two-length win over Opinion in the McGrath Estate Agents Sky High Stakes (Aus-III) March 13 at Rosehill Gardens. He was produced out of the winning Anabaa mare Debonnaire, who is from the family of European champion and Suave Dancer.

Also on Saturday's card, rank outsider Fenway scored a half-head win over favorite First Seal in the Aus$400,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (Aus-I) for 3-year-old fillies.

Sweet And Speedy hit the front early, ahead of Amicus, Miss Interiors, and Heavens Above, with virtually no change in the rest of the 14-horse field until they swept around the home turn.

Fenway struck for the lead entering the stretch and just repelled a strong challenge from First Seal, who gained with every stride but ran out of ground.

Fenway, a daughter of High Chaparral out of Deedra, by Zabeel, finished 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) under Blake Shinn in 2:03.27. Trained by Lee and Shannon Hope for Alpara Lodge, the filly aced her debut in October and then went winless in four subsequent starts until Saturday's stakes breakthrough. Her dam is a half sister to group I winners Tuesday Joy and Sunday Joy, the latter of which is the dam of Australian champion More Joyous.

Elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere, Brendan and Jo Lindsay's homebred Marky Mark captured the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (NZ-I) for 2-year-olds by one length at Awapuni.

Ridden by Leith Innes, the Makfi gelding prevailed over Rocanto, with Reminisce third in the 12-horse field and won for the third time in four career starts for trainer Moira Murdoch. He landed his first two starts, including the Eclipse Stakes (NZ-III) Jan. 1 at Ellerslie, before finishing third in the Diamond Stakes (NZ-I) March 7 at the same track.

Marky Mark, who is out of the group-placed Testa Rossa mare My My Maree, was timed in 1.22.74 for 1,400 meters (about seven furlongs).