John O’Shea has trained his first Group One winner for Godolphin with the Australian arm of Sheikh Mohammed’s operation stepping up a gear at Warwick Farm.
To make the victory even sweeter, Godolphin claimed the Chipping Norton Stakes quinella when Contributer beat Hartnell by half a length.
O’Shea took over from Peter Snowden in May last year, a few months before Darley Australia was rebranded to reflect the worldwide presence of Godolphin.
“It is only the start,” O’Shea said.
“It is a great team effort and a lovely result for everyone.”
The Group One success came after Exosphere confirmed a Golden Slipper berth with his Skyline Stakes win and It’s Somewhat took out the Liverpool City Cup.
“All the team are here today and have worked hard to get this result capped by the Group One,” O’Shea said.
Contributer was the $2.50 favourite based on his Apollo Stakes (1400m) win at his first Sydney start.
James McDonald had him up closer to the speed than his previous start and brought him down the middle of the track with Hartnell ($18) coming up the inside under Englishman James Doyle.
Both horses were bought in England by the sheikh’s bloodstock adviser John Ferguson who identified them as ideal gallopers for Australia.
McDonald, who has first call on the Godolphin rides, was especially pleased Contributer was able to back up his Apollo Stakes win.
“It means a lot, especially on this horse,” he said.
“John and the team have taken so much time getting the Europeans to peak for these sorts of races.
“All of them have run out of their skin. They have all got so much sprint in their legs. It is credit to the team.”
He’s Your Man ($9.50) ran third, a long head behind Hartnell, to record the best result for trainer Chris Waller who was aiming for a fifth successive win in the race.
New Zealand mare Silent Achiever ran fourth with Melbourne Cup third placegetter Who Shot Thebarman an eye-catching fifth.
O’Shea said Hartnell had proved he was on track for Sydney’s Group One autumn staying double, the BMW (2400m) and Sydney Cup (3200m) while Contributer would head to the Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, both over 2000 metres.
