Sofia Rosa struggles in Memsie

The Cox Plate hasn’t been ruled out for dominant Memsie Stakes winner Black Heart Bart.

Darren Weir has declared him the benchmark horse in his stable after the six-year-old made emphatic spring statement in winning the Memsie Stakes.

‘‘He’s the best horse I’ve got,’’ Weir said. ‘‘This horse is bombproof, sound but while not much to look at he loves the stable routine.’’

Weir had his best season last year with a training record of 348 winners that included the Melbourne Cup with Prince Of Penzance.

In winning the weight-forage Memsie on Saturday, Black Heart Bart claimed the first Group I race of the 2016-17 Australian season.

Backed from $2.20 to $2 favourite, Black Heart Bart, under Brad Rawiller scored by 1 1/4 lengths from the former Kiwi mare Rising Romance with Mahuta 2 1/4 lengths away third.

Kiwi mare Sofia Rosa was a disappointing 10th, after never challenging. She underwent a vet test, but no abnormalities were detected. Damien Oliver said she found the 1400m too sharp. Tarzino, looking for more distance finished eight.

The Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 10 is still on her schedule, with trainer Stephen Marsh saying she needs more ground to show her best.

Weir said Black Heart Bart came back from his Queensland spell in great condition before starting a spring campaign the gelding’s owners hope will end in a Cox Plate triumph.

‘‘He got a month of sun with some light work up there before coming home,’’ Weir said.

‘‘The owners are very keen to go to the Cox Plate but they’ve said if you want to deviate along the way then we’re happy with that, but if you can, aim towards the Cox Plate.

‘‘Really who wants to take Winx on, but we’ll see how far we get.’’

Provocative, the other New Zealand-trained horse racing at Caulfield, was unplaced.