Darren Weir has a plethora of Group 1 options on the table for Black Heart Bart - he’s just got to choose which ones to target.
Black Heart Bart proved his narrow first-up defeat in the Newmarket Handicap was no fluke, flying down the outside to take out the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
While Charmed Harmony took up his customary position at the front of the pack, Brad Rawiller settled Black Heart Bart midfield.
Charmed Harmony gave a kick on the turn, but Black Heart Bart defied his top-weight of 58.5kg, overhauling him and Eclair Choice to land the price.
Weir was delighted with the result, particularly given he was unsure if this was the right race for him.
“The credit has got to go to the boys down at Warrnambool because they talked me into running him - I wasn’t that keen,” Weir said.
“I was going to wait for The Goodwood but they said ‘he’s that well, you should be looking for a race sooner’.
“We got a lovely run, but we looked to be in a bit of trouble on the corner but once Brad got into him and got him balanced up, he really powered to the line.”
WATCH: Black Heart Bart’s win
Black Heart Bart made his name in Western Australia but competed in races like The Goodwood (finishing fourth) and Stradboke Handicap last year.
Weir’s only had him in the stable for two starts and now has to work out where to go with the versatile galloper.
“When good horses like this turn up there’s a little bit of pressure on because you don’t want them losing a wheel,” he said.
“But he’s held his form - he ran great in the Newmarket and he ran well again today.
“We’ll have to put a bit of thought into where we go now - whether we keep pushing out in distance or keep freshening up.
“Obviously Queensland is in the back of our mind ... how we get there, I’m not sure.
“He ran really well in The Goodwood last year as well, so the owners are keen to head that way, but they’ve left it up to us.”
WATCH: Hear from Rawiller after the race