Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy has picked up the plum ride on Hartnell in the Group 1 $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 16.

Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy, above, has picked up the plum ride on Hartnell in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Daniel Costello

Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy, above, has picked up the plum ride on Hartnell in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Daniel Costello

McEvoy will be having his first ride on the Godolphin owned Hartnell who won stylish for his new trainer James Cummings in the Group 2 $200,000 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 19.

Hartnell charged away in the straight with Craig Williams in the saddle to record a two and a quarter lengths win over the front running Charmed Harmony and top Memsie Stakes fancy Black Heart Bart.

“He is an amazing adaptable horse and I am really looking forward to the rest of the Spring with him,” Godolphin’s Melbourne representative David Charles said after the win.

Godolphin confirmed the booking of McEvoy for the two time Group 1 winner and 2016 Melbourne Cup placegetter via twitter today.

“Jockey Kerrin McEvoy to unite with Hartnell in G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 16,” the Godolphin tweet read.

Hartnell was in dynamic form during the 2016 Spring Carnival, scoring a hat trick of wins with his victory in the Group 1 $500,000 Yellowglen Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington before running second to Winx in the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley.

The imported seven year old then ran a brave race when third behind Almandin and Heartbreak City in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.

Hartnell was then winless during the 2017 Autumn Carnival but did run second to Winx twice at Randwick in the Group 2 $250,000 The Star Apollo Stakes (1400m) and in the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) as well as a second to Our Ivanhowe in the Group 1 $700,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.

Early betting for the Makybe Diva Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au has Hartnell as the short priced $2 favourite and the baldy faced gelding is also the top pick for the 2017 Caulfield Cup at $6.50.

Early market order for the 2017 Makybe Diva Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2 Hartnell, $8 Black Heart Bart, Le Romain, $9 Hey Doc, $13 Humidor, Yankee Rose, $17 Exospheric, $21 Gailo Chop, He’s Our Rokkii, I Am A Star, Jon Snow, Single Gaze, $26 Hardham, Seaburge, $34 Abbey Marie, Almandin, Articus, $51 Amelie’s Star, Montoya’s Secret.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.