Black Heart Bart has franked his impressive form since transferring to the care of Darren Weir this time; completing an impressive performance to post a maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.
2016 The Goodwood winner Black Heart Bart heads to Brisbane next for a shot at the Stradbroke Handicap on June 11. Photo: Jenny Barnes.
Jumping from the gates well, Black Heart Bart was settled within the talented field of eighteen as Super One, Flamberge and Sirbible set a healthy pace from the outset.
Caught well back rounding onto the final straight, the Blackfriars gelding mustered a monumental turn of foot and charged forward; overcoming the race leaders to hit the line half a length ahead of a fast-finishing Under The Louvre and Supido.
Weir was understandably thrilled with Black Heart Bart’s performance for success in The Goodwood, and revealed the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11th will figure as the next target.
“All his runs for me have been terrific, his form before he came over to us was terrific, thank god he’s held it and it’s great to see a horse like this win a Group 1 because he deserves it.
“He’s a good, class horse and he gallops at home like you’d expect him to. I have to give the owners a big thank you for sending him to me.
“He’s a big, gangly bugger and you’d think he’d be better over a trip, but he’s the perfect horse to train – he eats well, works well, is very sound and he’s a good racehorse, they’re very hard to find.
“The space between runs has been terrific. It’s three weeks to the Stradbroke, which is ideal.”
Brad Rawiller delivered a typically smart performance aboard Black Heart Bart to win The Goodwood and was thrilled to continue his positive affiliation with the Weir stable.
“You look at his two Group 1 runs in the Newmarket and the All Aged were outstanding runs in their own right, so to get a Group 1 for Darren and the team and the connections is great for me.
“It was a sticky race. I was happy with how we got out of the gates and the speed was strong-enough in the first furlong.
“I didn’t want him to be out of his comfort zone, I thought if I pushed early it was going to be ugly for me.
“I was able to get on Admiral’s back, who was a horse who was always going to be able to get me into the race, so I was confident then.
“I still needed luck to get clear and when we did, great turn of foot and then he’s a bit of a lad when he gets to the front – he just does what he needs to.”
Black Heart Bart appears likely to jump favourite in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap in three weeks following his impressive win in The Goodwood.
