Heart’s one to beat
BLACK Heart Bart couldn’t be in better shape heading into Saturday’s Group 1 race Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot.
That was the conclusion trainer Darren Weir came to after watching the sevenyear-old gelding gallop at Lindsay Smith’s training property at Casaurina, 40 kilometres south of Perth yesterday. More importantly for Weir, Smith also gave the gallop his tick of approval.
“Lindsey Smith gave him his tick of approval. That’ll do me,” Weir said.
Black Heart Bart was beaten in a photo in the Railway Stakes 11 days ago by Great Shot and is $3.20 favourite with UBET for Saturday’s race .
“I thought he ran terrific in the Railway Stakes and he had every chance. He just didn’t get the bob in at the right time,” Weir said.
“Weight-for-age and a step up in trip will suit him. I’m looking forward to seeing him run. That last run just brought him on a little bit more. He’s also benefited from another fortnight at Lindsey’s.”
Weir said it was Smith who influenced him to build his new training property at Maldon with a deep sand training track.
“I’m so lucky to have Lindsey Smith’s place to use,” Weir said.
“The horses by being there go to another fitness level and Black Heart Bart is very sound and well.
“I came over for a look last summer and Lindsey told me I could train Stratum Star and Rageese from there.
“I saw how well the deep sand worked and I tried to replicate it at Maldon.”
Weir said over spring Black Heart Bart suffered with concussion in his hooves but training on the deep sand track at Maldon and now at Smith’s facility in WA had proved beneficial.
■ Pakenham Cup hopeful Grey Lion is deep into his preparation but trainer Matt Cumani believes the stayer is getting better with racing.
The imported Grey Lion is yet to win in Australia since arriving last spring but the six-year-old has been thereabouts lately with three placings and a fourth in his past four races. Cumani is pressing ahead to Saturday’s Listed $250,000 Pakenham Cup (2500m) after Grey Lion’s third on a heavy track in the $300,000 Ballarat Cup (2200m) last Saturday week.
“He seems to really enjoy racing,” Cumani said.