Race favourite Black Heart Bart has drawn the ideal barrier 2 amongst a capacity field of twenty sprinters, confirmed for Saturday’s featured Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville Racecourse.
Black Heart Bart will leave from barrier 2 in The Goodwood at Morphettville on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Black Heart Bart has been a prominent contender through his entire twenty-nine start career so far, but has undoubtedly kicked up a gear since transferring to the care of leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir at the beginning of autumn.
Given little hope of success in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) first-up on March 12th, the Blackfriars gelding mustered a scintillating turn of foot to run an agonizingly-close second to fellow The Goodwood acceptor The Quarterback.
Returning to winning form in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) on March 26th, Black Heart Bart again finished a close second in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) most recently, and should relish the conditions at Morphettville on Saturday.
Weir will launch a two-pronged attack on the feature race after also confirming three-year-old Sooboog (barrier 7) in The Goodwood field.
The Quarterback has undoubtedly returned to racing in career-best form to date this season, and will leave from the rails draw in The Goodwood.
Capping a consistent spring campaign with success in the Listed Dilmah Earl Grey Stakes (1000m) on Crown Oaks Day, The Quarterback resumed this year for a credible third in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) on January 30th.
Completely luckless when caught wide and sixth in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) second-up, the Street Boss gelding charged from the rear of the field to overcome the talent-rich field in the Newmarket Handicap and post a maiden win at the highest level.
Progressing to fifth in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m), The Quarterback ran on for third in the Gold Sprint (1200m) last time out on April 16th.
Tasmanian raider Admiral also carries strong form into The Goodwood and could very well receive the run of the race after drawing the ideal barrier 6.
Undoubtedly the current standout of the Tasmanian racing scene, Admiral stamped himself as one to watch via a three-year-old campaign capped with a close fifth in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) in 2015.
Resuming in November for fifth in the Listed Tasmanian Newmarket (1200m), the Mossman gelding re-asserted his dominance with consecutive wins in the Listed Conquering WFA (1400m), Listed Tasmanian Stakes (1600m), Ubet Stakes (1200m), Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) and Listed George Adams Plate (1600m).
Having resumed for a close second behind Supido in the ATA Women Trainers Handicap (1000m) a fortnight ago, trainer Barry Campbell is pleased with the benefit taken by Admiral leading into The Goodwood 2016.
As expected, Lindsay Park have confirmed five runners in the 2016 Goodwood field, including Fast ‘N’ Rocking (barrier 15) and Sheidel (barrier 12), who will carry only 53.5kgs.
Ladbrokes Australia currently rate Black Heart Bart an outright $3.75 favourite in 2016 The Goodwood betting markets.
