Cox Plate 2016 contender needs to fire in Underwood Stakes

If he is to be considered a legitimate Cox Plate 2016 chance Black Heart Bart needs to win Saturday’s Underwood Stakes.

Online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au has the Darren Weir trained gelding at the head of betting on $2.50.

Lucia Valentina ($4.00) is second pick ahead of last start winner Awesome Rock ($7.50).

Black Heart Bart is $21 for next month’s Cox Plate.

In the other Caulfield Group 1, the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, Counterattack ($3.60) has leap-frogged into favouritism over Voodoo Lad ($5.00).

Bon Aurum ($6.50), Under The Louvre ($8.00) and Xtravagant ($9.00) are the other runners under double figures.

“Black Heart Bart has not won beyond 1420m, so he needs to show something over 1800m on Saturday to cement his claims as a genuine Cox Plate (2040m) contender,’’ said sportsbet.com.au’s Will Byrne.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Underwood Stakes 2016

$2.40   Black Heart Bart

$4.00   Lucia Valentina

$7.50   Awesome Rock

$11      Our Ivanhowe

$12      He Or She

$12      Tarzino

$14      Tavago

$17      The Cleaner

$41      Prince Of Penzance

$31      Jacquinot Bay

$101    Howard Be Thy Name

Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes 2016

$3.60   Counterattack

$5.00   Voodoo Lad

$6.50   Bon Aurum

$8.00   Under The Louvre

$9.00   Xtravagant

$10      Tivaci

$21      Thames Court

$26      Fast ‘n’ Rocking

$26      Telopea

$26      Mr Individual

$34      Badawiya

$41      Well Sprung

$51      Rangipo

$51      Charmed Harmony

$67      Jungle Edge