Smart Western Australian sprinter Black Heart Bart has firmed into favouritism for the Group 1 $500,000 Darley Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Huckelbuck, above, has lost his spot at the top of the market order for the Goodwood with Black Heart Bart the new favourite. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The Vaughn Sigley trained Black Heart Bart has overtaken local hero Hucklebuck at the top of the market order at Ladbrokes.com.au and is now the new $4.40 favourite.
Black Heart Bart’s price has continued to shorten since final acceptances for the Goodwood were taken on Tuesday after opening at $5.50 has come in for some constant support.
Contrastly Hucklebuck opened as the top pick but his price has drifted from $4 to $4.50 and will no doubt challenge Black Heart Bart again for favouritism at some stage in the betting.
The Lark Hill trainer is giving Black Heart Bart his chance at Group 1 company after putting together a string of four wins in Listed class in the West over the Summer months.
The four race winning streak began with a win in the Listed $100,000 Summer Scorcher (1000m) at Ascot on January 1 followed by a win at the same track in the Listed $100,000 Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m).
Sigley then took the Blackfriars gelding to Pinjarra where he won the Listed $120,000 Pinjarra Classic (1300m) and then headed to Bunbury to win the Listed $120,000 Bunbury Stakes (1400m) on March 8.
“He is showing his dominance against those horses and we think he deserves his chance in a race like this,” Sigley told the Sportsman.
“The races left for him at home are weight for age and if he’s going to be winning those type of races you’re better off trying to slip in and grab one of these and find out if you’re good enough.”
Sigley has reported that Black Heart Bart has settled into his new surroundings in Adelaide okay and is ready to run a bold race in The Goodwood.
“He’s jumping out of his skin,” Sigley said.
“Some horses might feel the effect of the trip but this bloke hasn’t.”
As a three year old Black Heart Bart was tested over a middle distance and took his place in the 2014 Group 2 $400,000 W.A.T.C Derby (2400m) at Ascot but could only finish eighth to Respondent.
Since then Sigley has keep the four year old to sprinting distances and he has gone on to win seven races.
Hucklebuck is having his first start since winning the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 8 but trainer Phillip Stokes has given him two barrier trials to prime him for his first up run.
The Goodwood market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.40 Black Heart Bart, $4.50 Hucklebuck, $6 Lucky Hussler, $8.50 Under The Louvre, $11 Vain Queen, $12 Lord Of The Sky, $15 Gregers, $18 Politeness, $21 Yesterday’s Songs, Thermal Current, Smokin’ Joey, $31 Flamberge, $41 It Is Written, $51 Riziz, $61 Tudor, $67 Daytona Grey, $151 Light It Up.
