Caulfield Racecourse hosted the first Group 1 of the Australian season, the New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie S. over 1400m and it was the market leader Black Heart Bart (Aus) ( Blackfriars {Aus}) who came out on top. The Darren Weir trained 6-year-old was settled in midpack by Brad Rawiller as a brisk gallop set by Tasbeeh (Aus) (Commands {Aus}) and Charmed Harmony (Aus) (Hussonet) ensured the field was well strung out from early on. As the field straightened up Charmed Harmony began to backpeddle as Rawiller edged the favourite towards the centre of the track. He drew alongside Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar) and stablemate Mahuta (Aus) (Flying Spur {Aus}) as they hit the 200m marker and he readily drew clear in the closing stages to record a length and a quarter victory, clocking a time of 1:23:93. ”Wow, when I let him down he was awesome, said Rawiller post race. “They went a lot quicker than we thought they would but I was certainly ready for it. Charmed Harmony can certainly roll along but I was certainly happy even though I was further back than I wanted to be,” he added.
The Memsie S. is often a race used as a springboard for even loftier targets and this field contained several horses to keep an eye on in future. G1 Victoria Derby and G1 Rosehill Guineas winner Tarzino (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) was slow away and was noted doing his best work at the finish while G1 Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) will surely fare a lot better next time out. However it was Black Heart Bart who was best prepared to take the spoils adding to his previous Group 1 win in the Darley Goodwood at Morphettville May 21. That was a well deserved initial win at the top level as he had previously been denied by just a head in both the G1 Lexus Newmarket H. by The Quarterback (Aus) (Street Boss) and in the G1 Schweppes All Aged S. by English (Aus) (Encosta De Lago {Aus}). His superiority on Saturday will give connections justifiable optimism of a prosperous spring campaign. “He's the best horse I've got,” Darren Weir said after the race. “The owners are very keen to go to the [G1] 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,” Weir added.
Pedigree notes:
Black Heart Bart is one of 33 stakes winner for his sire Blackfriars (Aus) (Danehill), himself a Group 1 winner who stands at Scenic Lodge Stud in Australia for a fee of A$12,000. The winner is out of the six-time winner Sister Theresa (Aus) (At Talaq) who died in 2012 leaving nine foals on the ground. Black Heart Bart is the best of three winners so far for the mare but his unraced half-sister Rebel Sister (Aus) (Falbrav {Ire}) is proving a good producer being the dam of two stakes winners Rebelson (Aus) (Snippetson {Aus}) and Rebel King (Aus) (Universal Ruler {Aus}). Sister Theresa herself is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Savannah Success (Aus) who is also the dam of MG1SW and successful sire Savabeel (Aus) (Zabeel {NZ}). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
MEMSIE S.-G1, A$502,000, MRC, 8-27, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:23.93, Gd.
1–BLACK HEART BART (Aus), 59.0, g, 6, by Blackfriars (Aus)
1st Dam: Sister Theresa (Aus), by At Talaq
2nd Dam: Alma Mater (Aus), by Semipalatinsk
3rd Dam: Sweetie (Aus), by Without Fear (FR)
O-K B Renner, C R Delacy, A Psaltis, I McCarthy & Mrs D A Richardson; B-Durham Lodge Thoroughbred Stud WA; T-D K Weir; J-B Rawiller; A$302,000. Lifetime record: 32-13-9-2,
A$2,280,950. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: B+
2–Rising Romance (NZ), 57.0, m, 6, Ekraar –Post Romance (NZ), by Postponed. O-N J & Mrs V M Carter, M R Powell & B H Carter; B-Carter Bloodstock Ltd, Auckland, NZ; T-D & B Hayes
& T Dabernig; J-Damian Lane; A$90,000.
3–Mahuta (Aus), 58.5, c, 4, Flying Spur (Aus)–Vahine (NZ), by Zabeel (NZ) . (A$35,000 Ylg 2014 MM Adelaide Yearling Sale; A$34,000 Wlg 2013 MM National Weanling Sale) O-Roll The
Dice, N Gottlewski, G Buchan, B Stonehouse, D Anderson, J Rullo, H Norton, G Moss, B Grace, S McKenzie, T Samuel, D Parkinson, W W W Racing, Sixlands & National Queen; B-Packaging Investments Aust Pty Ltd NSW; T-D K Weir; J-John Allan; A$45,000.
Margins: 1.3, 3.6, 3.8.
Also Ran: Tashbeeh (Aus), Palentino (Aus), Alpine Eagle (Aus), He Or She (Aus), Tarzino (NZ) , Charmed Harmony (Aus), Sofia Rosa (NZ) , Prince of Penzance (NZ) , Tally (Aus). Click for the Racing Post result.
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