Bart breakthrough in Victoria

Blackfriars gelding Black Heart Bart has franked his G1 Newmarket Hcp form with a convincing victory in the G3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield.

Having his second start for trainer Darren Weir on Easter Saturday, the former Perth star shouldered top-weight of 58.5kg to a narrow win over front-runner Charmed Harmony. “He ran great in the Newmarket but there’s a bit of pressure when these good horses turn up – you don’t want them losing a wheel,” Weir said. “Now we have to decide whether to push him out in distance or keep freshening up.”

Black Heart Bart was nailed in the last few strides by The Quarterback in the Newmarket and was a class above Group 3 company. “He got a lovely run but looked to be in trouble on the corner,” Weir added. “Once Brad (Rawiller) balanced up, he really powered to the line.

“He ran a really good fourth in the Goodwood last year and the owners are keen to head that way again. Queensland is also an option for the Stradbroke.”

The Caulfield victory improved Black Heart Bart’s record to 11 wins in 28 starts for a Geraldton syndicate that includes Kim Renner, Craig Delacy, Dave Richardson, Arthur Psaltis and Ian McCarthy. He cost $20,000 at the 2012 Perth Magic Millions and his earnings now stand at more than $1.25 million.

Scenic Lodge champion Blackfriars got him from a half-sister to NZ & Australia Group 1 winner Savannah Success – the dam of Group 1 racehorse and sire Savabeel.

Blackfriars has sired the winner of 96 races in Australia this season and he can bring up a century over the Easter long weekend with multiple entries at Albany (Sunday) and York (Monday).

 

Golden start for Snippetson

Snippetson mare Vergara has opened the Golden Slipper meeting with a fighting, front-running victory in the G3 Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill.

Saturday’s win was her second black-type success following the LR Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong in September. “We thought she had come back a better mare this time in,” trainer Anthony Cummings said. “And today was the first time this preparation she has been able to get on the bit and travel.”

Vergara (5m Snippetson – Graces Spirit by Flying Spur) appreciated the step up in distance off the G1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and was strong on the line from the favourite Heavens Above. “That was a good, tough effort,” jockey James McDonald commented. “She appreciated coming back in grade and was well suited at set weights and penalties.”

The Epona Stakes result increased the mare’s earnings to $385,000 for part-owner and breeder Pat Carroll. Scenic Lodge resident Snippetson sired her from a half-sister to G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Turffontein (Johannesburg).

“This is probably her last campaign before going to stud,” Cummings said. “We will look for a stakes race at Randwick and then go to Brisbane.”

Cummings mentioned the G2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at Gold Coast on May 7 as a possible kick-off point for the winter carnival.

Brilliant filly Security Belle is another Snippetson heading for a feature win in Queensland after maintaining her unbeaten record at Rockhampton on Friday.

She has won all three starts by a combined margin of 15 lengths and will start a hot-favourite in the $100,000 Capricornia 2YO Classic on April 9. “There will probably be some good ones coming up from Brisbane,” trainer Fred Smith warned. “But she’s got gears and there will be more improvement into the Classic.”

Security Belle (2f Snippetson – Kai Chow by Sanction) is from a mare who won the 2003 Capricornia Classic and is raced by Smith and part-owners Max Ison & Pat Paterson after being knocked down for $28,000 at the 2015 CQTBA Yearling Sale.