If not for the unstoppable Winx, I'm sure the deeds of the wonderfully consistent Black Heart Bart would be greater appreciated.
Since Darren Weir took over the 6yo gelding's training, the son of Blackfriars has finished second in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap won the Group III Victory Handicap at Caulfield, second in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick, won the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap at Morphettville before finishing second in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Doomben.
Making his seasonal debut in Saturday's Group 1 N.Z. Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m), Black Heart Bart proved a class above to take his earnings past $2 million. (photos Grant Courtney)
Any doubts that the race would be run at muddling pace following the scratching of Lord Of The Sky were quickly alleviated when Charmed Harmony carried them along at a cracking clip.
Perfectly positioned one out and three back under Brad Rawiller, Black Heart Bart tracked up into a striking position on the home turn. Once he saw off Rising Romance, Black Heart Bart dominated the first Group 1 race of the new season to win by one and a quarter length from Rising Romance (Ekraar) with the winner's stablemate Mahuta (Flying Spur) two and quarter lengths further back in third.
"He's an absolute ripper, he's done that off just one trial, it was a great win," Weir said.
"He's just a proper racehorse, he's been great for the stable and credit to the boys at the beach who look after him,"
"The owners are very keen to go to the Cox Plate with him so we just have to work out how to get there.
"It wouldn't matter what race you put him in he'd run well."
His second victory at the elite level and his 11th stakes win overall, Black Heart Bart advances his overall record to 13 wins, 9 seconds and 2 thirds from 32 starts for earnings of $2,280,950.
The 6yo gelding was a $20,000 MM Perth Yearling purchase from the Lakeside Thoroughbreds draft and is the ninth and final foal of the At Talaq mare Sister Theresa who was acquired by Durham Lodge for $50,000 at the 2008 Great Southern Bloodstock sale.
A 6-time winner in Brisbane, Sister Theresa is a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Savannah Success (Success Express) the dam of Group 1 WS Cox Plate winner and top sire Savabeel.
Sister Theresa's daughter Rebel Sister (Falbrav) is the dam of 3-time Listed stakes-winner Rebelson (Snippetson) and the Listed HG Bolton Sprint winner Rebel King (Universal Ruler).
