Black Heart Bart Turns Back The Clock

The Western Australians haven't exactly endeared themselves to punters in Victoria in recent weeks and little changed at Caulfield on Sunday. 

If Gatting put the knife in punters when winning the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes two weeks back at $101, the 7yo gelding Pushin' Shapes twisted it a bit further at Caulfield on Sunday when he carried the Northerly colours to victory as a $61 chance in the appropriately named Le Pine Funerals Hcp before the WA legend Black Heart Bart finished punters off when turning back the clock in the $750,000 Group 1 Underwood Stakes.

Winner of the race in 2016 when trained by Darren Weir and with regular rider Brad Rawiller in the saddle, Black Heart Bart defeated last year's winner Homesman (USA) by a short neck with Gailo Chop (FR) one and a half lengths back in third. (image Darryl Sherer)

Retired after finishing 16th in last year's Toorak Handicap, Black Heart Bart was returned to training with Lindsay Smith.

He finished eighth in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 31 at his first run back before finishing 11th in last weeks Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m).

"His first race was good but then his second run was plain, but we thought getting him up to the 1800 metres would be good as he wouldn't be chasing all the time."

"In the mounting yard, I thought he looked as good as most horses.

"He's a grand old horse. I thought he was in a bit of trouble last start, but the jockey was confident that he would run a great race today.

"He didn't declare him to me. but he was confident he'd run a good race today and not embarrass himself."

The favourite Homesman (USA) had little luck being caught three deep the trip but he didn't shirk his task in the straight.

In winning his first race since the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in February 2017, Black Heart Bart advances his record to 17 wins, 14 seconds and 4 thirds from 56 starts with earnings of $4,468,580.

The 9yo son of Blackfriars was a $20,000 purchase for part-owner Kim Renner at the 2012 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale from the draft of Lakeside Thoroughbreds.

He is the ninth and final foal of the At Talaq mare Sister Theresa who was acquired by Durham Lodge for $50,000 at the 2008 Great Southern Bloodstock sale.

A 6-time winner in Brisbane, Sister Theresa is a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Savannah Success (Success Express) the dam of Group 1 WS Cox Plate winner and top sire Savabeel.

Sister Theresa's daughter Rebel Sister (Falbrav) is the dam of 3-time Listed stakes-winner Rebelson (Snippetson) and the multiple Listed winner and near $1 million earner Rebel King (Universal Ruler).