While the Aidan O’Brien-trained mare Magic Wand proved the heroine at Flemington, there were exceptional efforts of the runner-up Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and the end of a racing era with the retirement of the gallant third placegetter Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}).
Hartnell hit the front 300 metres from home for rider Hugh Bowman and for a few fleeting strides the fairytale ending looked like becoming a reality, but the younger legs of Magic Wand and Melody Belle caught up with him and while he was beaten, he was not disgraced.
“He’ll always share a place in our hearts when these carnivals come around,” Cummings said. “Hugh cruised across and he was delighted with the performance, he was proud of the horse as we all were.
“There were plenty of good horses that Hartnell beat home. I think his effort was terrific.”
“There were plenty of good horses that Hartnell beat home. I think his effort was terrific.” – James Cummings
Fourth in the G1 Cox Plate, Magic Wand had finished 10th in Tuesday’s G1 Melbourne Cup and the seven-time Group 1 placegetter was quickly charged back into action in the Mackinnon and she was more than up for the challenge.
The 5-year-old sat in behind the leader Gailo Chop (Fr) (Deportivo {GB}) before champion jockey Ryan Moore drove the mare to the front 150 metres from home to finally land an elite level title.
Gallery: Magic Wand (Ire) wins the G1 Seppelt Mackinnon S.
“She’s a wonderful mare and unfortunate she hasn’t won a Group 1 before,” Moore said. “She’s so tough and honest and the team have done a remarkable job with her.
“She’s a high class mare and it was her day today, Group 1s are never easy to come across. I ride for an unbelievable stable with unbelievable staff and I’m very lucky to be riding the horses.”
“I ride for an unbelievable stable with unbelievable staff and I’m very lucky to be riding the horses.” – Ryan Moore
Magic Wand is a half-sister to the G1 Irish Oaks winner Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and their dam Prudenzia (Ire) (Danehill {USA}) and the family of the former star filly Alexandrova (Ire) (Sadler's Wells {USA}) and the 2017 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Runner-up Melody Belle was forced to go back from the outside gate and she only had three behind her as the field rounded the home bend.
The G1 Empire Rose S. winner unleashed a storming finish under rider Opie Bosson, but Magic Wand had too much of a break.
Melody Belle (NZ)
“It was massive. Barrier draws win races and she got back on an even tempo. She was super late and we’re very proud of her.
“She’s proved she’s up to the best and we’ll be back in the autumn. Full credit to Coolmore though, backing up from the Cup to a Mackinnon is a great training effort.”
Life Less Ordinary (Ire) (Thewayyouare {USA}) raced back of midfield and he made ground well to finish fourth with Fifty Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento (Ire) next to cross the line.
End of an era
But back to Hartnell and the 9-year-old who has given yeoman service to the Godolphin stable since he arrived from England to be firstly trained in 2015 by John O’Shea and since 2017 by Cummings.
The winner of four Group 1 races, Hartnell has proved both versatile and durable and goes into retirement with 13 victories to his credit and earnings in excess of $7 million.
“He means much more than a normal racehorse. He’s tapped into something deeper for all of us and we count ourselves lucky that he came along in our time,” Cummings said.
“He’s done himself proud and we are all privileged to have witnessed the career of an equine statesman. He’s been the flagship performer for Godolphin.
“He’s done himself proud and we are all privileged to have witnessed the career of an equine statesman." - James Cummings
James McDonald was among the riders privileged to partner Hartnell, guiding him to an effortless victory in the 2016 G1 Turnbull S. at Flemington.
“I still get goose bumps thinking about that. You don’t see many horses do that in a Group 1,” he said.
Reg Fleming, who was the late Bart Cummings' former right-hand man and is now assistant to grandson James at Godolphin, will become Hartnell's custodian. “It’s a great honour,” he said.
Gallery: happy retirement Hartnell (GB)
