Black Heart Bart has claimed a fifth Group One victory with a last-stride win
Black Heart Bart has claimed a fifth Group One victory with a last-stride win in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.
A winner of the CF Orr Stakes over Saturday’s course and distance two weeks earlier, Black Heart Bart beat stablemate Tosen Stardom right on the line.
Ridden by Brad Rawiller, Black Heart Bart was sent out the $1.90 favourite before scoring by a nose over Tosen Stardom ($17), with Ecuador ($10) a half-length away in third.
Black Heart Bart is unbeaten in four 1400m races at Caulfield, including three at Group One level.
Trainer Darren Weir had two autumn targets for Black Heart Bart and walked away with victories in both races, the CF Orr and Futurity Stakes.
Weir was not thinking any further afield than Saturday’s victory thanks to the former Perth galloper.
Weir said Black Heart Bart could go to Sydney or be freshened for The Goodwood at Morphettville in May, a race he won in 2016.
“There is some thought of The Goodwood as it’s gone to $1 million now and it’s a quality handicap,” Weir said.
“He would get 59 or 59-and-a-half kilos so maybe he could freshen up for that or we may go to Sydney.”
A $20,000 yearling purchase, Black Heart Bart has collected almost $3.5 million in prize money after joining Weir from Vaughn Sigley in Perth less than a year ago.
“I have to thank the previous trainer for looking after him so well,” Weir said.
“He’s just a great horse and to win five Group Ones is unbelievable.”
Rawiller said he was concerned about a lack of pace down the side of the Caulfield track, which because of the wind was racing differently to the track on which Black Heart Bart won the CF Orr.
But he was confident of success once Black Heart Bart was into the Caulfield straight.
“He quickened like the winner but it was going to be a fight for the finish,” Rawiller said.
“He had his head out at the finish, which is typical of the horse he is.”
Craig Williams was full of praise for former Japanese galloper Tosen Stardom, which had his first start since finishing fourth in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley last spring.
“We always knew he was going to be vulnerable first up as he hadn’t raced for so long against a field that had runs under their belts,” Williams said.
“Take nothing away from Black Heart Bart but he’d had two runs under him and he beat me.
“That run shows me my horse is the real deal.”
