‘Crocks’ silence critics

WRITTEN off as spent forces, Brad Rawiller and Black Heart Bart have combined to post an extraordinary double triumph over adversity with a remarkable Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory.

In a tale of two crocks, Rawiller landed his first Group 1 since fracturing his neck in a race fall at Cranbourne last October, while Black Heart Bart notched his first win since being retired because of hoof issues.

Written off by most punters, but not by Rawiller, rampaging trainer Lindsey Smith or the gelding’s biggest fan Maddie Raymond, Black Heart Black started at $101 before downing Homesman ($2.50). HUGH BOWMAN

Black Heart Bart’s former stablemate Gailo Chop ($26) ran brilliantly to edge Hartnell ($4.20) out of the placings.

The win was Black Heart Bart’s sixth Group 1 spoil and fifth at Caulfield, where he had also won the Underwood in 2016 before snaring the Futurity, Orr and Memsie Stakes.

Retired to Darren Weir’s Maldon farm 11 months ago, Black Heart Bart was used to muster cattle on the disqualified trainer’s property and needed veterinary clearance to resume his stalled career.

For all the uncertainty — his and the horse’s — Rawiller never lost faith.

“Since coming back from my broken neck, it’s been a long road,” he said. “I didn’t really have much in the way of spring rides and Black Heart Bart was just my sole focus.

“I’ve been really happy with how he’s been coming along. I really thought last week he had lit the fire [when he ran 11th in the Rupert Clarke Stakes] but you’ve still got to see it.

“I thought he could win today, I actually was quite confident but you can’t expect it until you see it. It’s funny, every Group 1 you’ve got a reason why it’s your best, and today’s goes a long way.”

While Rawiller hailed Smith’s horsemanship — “he’s a master, that’s for sure” — he singled out stable foreman Raymond.

“She has just done everything with him. I can’t put it into context what she’s done to get him back,” he said.